A fundraising bike ride from Cambridge to Bruges has raised £27,502.02 for My WiSH Charity, in support of West Suffolk Foundation Trust’s (WSFT) neonatal unit and bereavement services.
Beginning on Thursday, 9 July, the three-day challenge saw 28 riders cover 320 kilometres of countryside and coastlines, crossing borders to support families experiencing baby loss or receiving care from the neonatal unit.
Supported by the organisation Cycle4Good, the ride was inspired by the story of Hudson, the son of My WiSH Charity supporter Rhiannon Lawson, and her partner Mike. When Hudson was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital heart condition, Rhiannon and Mike had to make the heartbreaking decision to end the pregnancy, and Rhiannon delivered Hudson on 13 March 2025.
Rhiannon said: “My WiSH Charity made an unbearable experience gentler, kinder and more human.
“This ride was our way of giving back, honouring Hudson’s life and helping ensure other families receive the same exceptional care we did.”
Funds raised by the bike ride will now be used to provide memory boxes for bereaved parents. These memory boxes provide which can include hand and footprints, casts, and other comfort items, helping them hold on to treasured moments with their babies.
Other funds raised will be used to help keep the bereavement room comfortable, and purchase items that help families stay together, and the funds allocated to the neonatal unit will be used to fund a phototherapy unit, so babies can be treated for jaundice at home.
Riders, ranging from total newbies to seasoned riders, set off from Cambridge in 30-degree heat – but despite the weather making a challenging ride even harder – the riders were in good spirits, and when they stopped for lunch, they shared their thoughts on the ride so far, and discussed how they became involved.
Judith Esterhuizen, a pharmacist at WSFT, said: ““I saw an article about the challenge in the Trust’s internal newsletter and was making my new year’s resolutions at the time, so I signed up for it straight away.
“I thought I was a bit mad for signing up, but so far, it’s been good. I do enjoy cycling, but I’ve not done anything like this before.”
Four months before the challenge, Rhiannon gave birth to her second son Lochlan, who was born eight weeks early, and cared for at the Trust’s neonatal unit. Despite this, she was still determined to complete the challenge, and Lochlan came along for the pitstops.
Sally Daniels, grant and appeals manager for My WiSH Charity, said: “Rhiannon is an amazing person, she has experienced the greatest loss imaginable and yet she constantly gives back. The funds the team have raised will have an incredible impact on families experiencing baby loss, and we are very grateful.”
Including the funds raised from the bike ride, Rhiannon and Mike have raised a total of £40,653.77 for My WiSH Charity.
Rhiannon said: “It was emotional. On day one, we rode past the hospital. I go past the hospital all the time, but it felt different this time, it’s just incredible that so many amazing people came along for the ride.
“I’m so pleased. I just can’t believe the impact Hudson is going to continue to have because of this and that’s what’s important to me – that he continues to make a difference, and other parents get the support we did”
