A 58-year-old man from Spalding is partway through a mammoth charity cycling challenge pedalling 30-miles a day for 100 days around his local area in memory of his dad.
Rudy Pierre started his bespoke’ cycling challenge on May 24 and is set to finish on August 31, having racked up a total of 3,000 miles on his bike.
He is raising money for Sue Ryder, the charity which cared for his dad in the final days of his life.
Rudy said: “Dad had been very poorly, including living with diabetes and heart issues. He was admitted to Peterborough Hospital just before Christmas 2023 and later transferred to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice where he died in March 2024.
“Although he was only at the hospice for a short time, the care they provided made a huge difference to our family. Their attention to detail meant a lot to my mum. It was a difficult time for her; Mum and Dad had been married for over 60 years.”
“We are a large family, and the hospice gave Dad a room which opened to a back door so relatives could come and go easily. The staff looked after us all with care and understanding.”
He continues: “I know other people whose loved ones have been cared for by Sue Ryder too, and everyone speaks so highly of the charity. They do so much good for so many people.”
This isn’t the first time that Rudy has jumped on the saddle for Sue Ryder. Last year, he rode 1,500 miles during the month of August. For 2026, he was keen to take on a greater challenge: “I wanted to continue to give something back for the care Sue Ryder provided – I plan to do a fundraiser every year from now on. Talking to friends and a family about what my latest challenge would be, I felt I needed to step it up a gear.”
Rudy is a regular cyclist, and he says that it gives him time to reflect and unwind and process the day good or bad. He fits his challenge around his four days on and four days off day job as a heating engineer working for AO.
“On workdays I rush home and get my 30 miles in for that day. It usually takes around two hours. On my days off I usually like to get out cycling first thing in the morning. I take routes out towards Peterborough, Ailsworth, Holbeach, Doddington, Deeping, West Pinchbeck and nearby villages.”
“My family thinks I’m nuts, but I am determined and I don’t like being beaten. I think Dad would be proud,” Rudy adds.
Rudy has already raised more than £1,500 across his two challenges for Sue Ryder, supporting them to provide expert palliative and end-of-life care through its hospices, to people at home as well as grief support.
To support Rudy’s fundraising efforts, click here.
