10-hour static cycle ride raises more than £800 for Portchester Dementia Care Hub

A Portchester fundraiser has cycled an incredible 132 miles in just 10 hours, raising more than £800 for the Portchester Dementia Care Hub.

On 8 July, local fundraiser Debra took to a static turbo bike outside Soothills Bakery in Portchester for a gruelling 10-hour challenge, cycling from morning until late afternoon to raise vital funds for the local dementia care service.

Despite the heat and the physical challenge, Debra kept pedalling, eventually completing the equivalent of 132 miles — all without leaving the Portchester Precinct!

The event received fantastic support from the local community, with passers-by stopping to chat, offer encouragement and make donations. In total, the challenge raised more than £800, a fantastic contribution towards supporting people living with dementia and their families in the local area.

Debra said:

“It was a tough 10 hours, especially with the heat, but the support from the local community and the Charity made it all worthwhile. Every donation, kind word and bit of encouragement kept me going. To finish 132 miles and raise over £800 is something I’m incredibly proud of.”

The event was also supported by Angie Watson, Hub Manager of the Portchester Dementia Care Hub, along with Portchester’s local councillors, who helped show their support for the challenge and the important work carried out by the Hub.

A special thank you also goes to the Director of Soothills Bakery, Mrs Angela Moyse who kindly permitted Debra to set up outside the bakery and provided the space that made the fundraising event possible.

The cycle ride forms part of a much bigger fundraising challenge being undertaken by Debra and her partner Ali, raising money for the Portchester Dementia Care Hub and Alzheimer’s Society.

What started as a local fundraising challenge has already brought together the Portchester community, with the pair continuing to take on increasingly demanding challenges as they work towards their ultimate adventure — a trek across the Sahara Desert later this year.

Debra added: “We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us. The Portchester community is an incredible organisation that has supported my family and this is about raising awareness as well as money, and knowing that the funds will help people and families affected by dementia makes every mile worth it.”

The fundraising continues, with every donation helping to support the vital work of the Portchester Dementia Care Hub and Alzheimer’s Society