I have often combined sport with fundraising (such as completing an Ironman triathlon in Zurich in 2006 for Sightsavers), so when I joined SJP in 2007, I was delighted to be asked to help set up the first SJP cycle challenge. Having a blank piece of paper, we decided to follow the Sustrans Coast to Coast cycle route from Whitehaven to Sunderland. The event was a great success and from that moment I was hooked - I’ve been involved in co-ordinating the event each year since (except for 2012 – 2014 when my twins were little). The hardest part of organising the cycle is getting the right balance between difficulty and length of route, time of year, location, cost, type of hotel and making sure the hotels have enough food for very hungry cyclists!
Every year of the Cycle Challenge has been special but if I had to choose one it would be Vienna to Prague in 2019. My husband and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary on the first day of the event in Vienna which made it all the more memorable It was also fascinating to cross a border so steeped in history as between Austria and the Czech Republic and finishing the ride on the King Charles bridge in Prague was sensational.
It’s a great honour to win this award. Stephen Sutton was an incredible person, who, despite all he was facing or perhaps because of it, was able to inspire so many to make every second count and to use some of those seconds to do something for others. At the end of the day, I don’t do the work I do with the Foundation for recognition but recognition for my involvement is very welcome. Also, I can’t take all the credit for the success of the events as we have a fantastic team without which it wouldn’t happen. Our logistics team, Adventure Café, have been outstanding as has Kym Rutterford and Becky Drayton in the Foundation team.
For me, the Cycle Challenge is an opportunity to give something back. My time in co-ordinating the event helps to raise a large amount of money for the incredible charities supported by the Foundation. I’m very proud to be involved with the work of the Foundation.
Kate Roberts, Cycle Challenge Organiser and winner of 2019 Stephen Sutton award.