Aston Hill to Everest

Helen and Douglas House will climb mountains for the very sick children in their care. Thame Cycling Club are going to do the same. On the 31st August we are intent on climbing Aston Hill (near Lewknor) at least 76 times to match the height of Mount Everest. With help from the local community we might even do it twice.

Founded in 1982, Helen & Douglas House is the world’s first children’s hospice and improves the lives of local terminally ill children and their families living in Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties.

Their amazing team including doctors, nurses and carers, provide exceptional care tailored to the needs of children living with a wide variety of complex conditions which will end their lives prematurely.

As a charity they rely on financial support from the public to fund their work, with 90% of their funding coming from fundraising, legacies and trading.

“Without Helen & Douglas House we wouldn’t have felt as strong and as confident to have a sick child like Tillie”, Tillie’s Mum.

"Jack is nine and lives in Thame with his parents, Robert and Mary and younger brother, Bobby. He has a life shortening condition due to being born prematurely and has been coming to Helen & Douglas House for regular supportive stays since shortly after he was born.

Jack loves the busy environment at the hospice and playing with the other children. Mary says, “It’s such a relief to walk through the door. Without Helen & Douglas House we would be exhausted. We would be lost without their help. It is an amazing place.”

On that day in August we will start at 9am and climb the hill at least 76 times. That is a promise. We want anyone who has a bike to join us and give a small donation to add to our total. You can just turn up, pay a fiver and cycle away. (Children are welcome for obvious reasons but only if accompanied by a guardian.)

We will be based at the Mercure Thame Lambert Hotel on the A40 at Lewknor and this is where you should meet us (from 9am until 1pm) before starting your ride. We'll have a stall in the car park. Toilets and refreshments are available from the hotel.

We’ll have warning signs and marshalling to get you on your way but this is a good road, wide and often used by cyclists. Don’t be daunted by the hill! It is about 1.6 miles long and rises 377 feet but the incline is gentle and all you need is to get in your lowest gear and pedal slowly. It will be worth it as anyone who knows someone who has used Helen and Douglas House will tell you.

There are lots of great causes out there and this one sits right there as a priority providing the most heart-warming care to children who need this demonstration of your love. Please support us in any way you can.

Thank you