On Sunday 19^th April, I, Sam Proctor, a pro-triathlete, will commence a mammoth six week cycling challenge to raise money for the NHS COVID-19 fund.  The idea for the challenge was prompted by the ongoing efforts of the team at The Victoria Inn at Holkham to deliver meals to NHS staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn, as well as meals, estate-grown potatoes and other produce for vulnerable people within the local community.  The challenge will run for six consecutive Sundays, starting this weekend, I will be cycling a minute for every meal delivered to the NHS that week.  To date, an average of 600 meals are being delivered weekly, which means a mighty 10-hours of cycling each Sunday!

Supporters will be able to join me for live video streaming via Holkham’s and my own social media channels, as well as having the opportunity to cycle with me via Zwift. The aim is to set a different route each week, including a leg-pounding virtual ascent of Mount Everest. The challenge will also include NHS worker phone ins, duo rides with surprise guests and a potential two-day, 10-hours per day, final weekend climax.  The challenge itself will take place in The Orangery at The Victoria Inn, with inspiring views out over the Holkham National Nature reserve.  All participants, other than myself, will join virtually.

Joining myself and Holkham in the challenge are a raft of local food suppliers and global sporting sponsors. Sponsors include Ribble Bikes, Erdinger AF, Hoka one one, Zwift, RaceSkin and Torq Nutrition.  Local suppliers, who have been involved with the Go Help: Helping Hands for Heroes mission include Arthur Howells Butchers, Sole Trader and Barsby Produce.

Laura Skaife-Knight, Deputy Chief Executive of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust told us - 

“We are incredibly grateful to our wonderful local community in West Norfolk, including Sam, for their fantastic support for QEH. This support has kept us going and inspired at a time we needed it most.

“We have asked our staff for their views on how we should spend the money donated by our patients and local community and have begun to act on this to further improve the experience of our patients and staff. This includes refurbishing our staff changing facilities and rest rooms and a number of rewards for staff such as free hot drinks and cakes to help to lift morale and encourage some time away from the current pressures.”