Virtual Velo participants celebrate cycling success
Earlier this year, the hospital charity launched Virtual Velo, a cycling event with a difference that gave participants the chance to ride 500 or 1,000 miles in their own time over the summer, raising money for patients as they did so.
Virtual Velo 2018 has now come to a close, and some of the amazing people who took part came along to Fisher House to celebrate their achievements and pick up their exclusive Virtual Velo medals.
Between them, the Virtual Velo participants managed to cycle a staggering 19,000 miles which would almost have got the cyclists to Antarctica and back again! As well as clocking up an incredible mileage total, the Virtual Velo participants also raise a wonderful £3,984 to support patients across the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital.
For some of the participants, this was their first experience of taking on a cycling event, whilst for others it was a great way of clocking up additional miles in training for Velo Birmingham & Midlands which is returning for 2019.
Christine McAteer took on Virtual Velo and raised money for QEHB Charity, she said: "It was great fun taking part in Virtual Velo and raising money for patients at the Charity. I would like to thank everyone for their support and interest and it is great to be able to make a difference as every life matters."
Mike Hammond, Chief Executive of the hospital charity, said: "I would like to thank every Virtual Velo participant for their fantastic efforts over the summer. To cycle 500 or 1,000 miles is a fantastic achievement, and the money that the cyclists have raised will make a huge difference to patients across the West Midlands."
Velo Birmingham & Midlands is returning for 2019 and gives you the chance to take on a 100 mile cycle ride in one day on a beautiful route starting and ending in Birmingham, taking in North Warwickshire, Coventry, Solihull, Sandwell and Dudley. You can join the hospital charity cycling family by getting hold of one of our Gold Bond places. These places cost £40, with a minimum sponsorship of £400. Get your place today at bikeforbrum.org
