Cycling challenge for hospice Chief Executive

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Tuesday, 10 September 2019

Trish Livsey is hoping to emerge saddle-sore but triumphant from one of her most gruelling challenges.

At 62, she is taking part in the London to Paris Cycle Ride to raise money for the Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice.

Trish, chief executive at the local charity, is hoping a winning combination of stamina and a detailed training regime will see her through the four days of cycling which start at Crystal Palace in London and end at the Eiffel Tower. Those taking part face more than 330 miles of cycling through English villages and the countryside of rural France in temperatures of up to 26C.

A keen cyclist Trish spends much of her free time on two wheels. She has cycled in Scotland and France,

“I am used to long distance cycling but that doesn’t make this any less of a challenge particularly as I am in my 60s,” said Trish.

Trish, a former nurse who lives with husband Chris in Kirkby Stephen, was deputy vice chancellor of the University of Cumbria before starting her job at the hospice last year. She is hoping to raise at least £5,000 from the event which starts on September 25 ending on September 29. Trish’s fundraising has got off to a great start with McKnight and Son Builders becoming her main sponsors by donating £500.

“My work at the hospice has shown me just how vital the service is and how important it is that we raise the funds needed to provide care. It really does give a fantastic service in the community. I suppose I am taking part to raise money, give myself a challenge and get fit. I have been cycling and walking to boost my fitness, but I am finding it difficult to control my chocolate intake.”

Cycling is very much a family pastime for Trish who has three grown-up sons and four grandchildren.

“I began riding a bike when I was five or six. We regularly have cycling holidays and while I was working in London, I cycled 20 miles a day to and from work. Nowadays I might do 20 to 30 miles on a Sunday. I find cycling gives me a good work-out. There is a lot of satisfaction to be had from getting to the top of a hill.”

To make a donation and sponsor Trish as she cycles from London to Paris, please visit her JustGiving page.