5-year-old cycles 10 miles for Willen Hospice

Posted 2nd July 2020

Local five year-old, Ariya Thakrar from Great Linford, cycled an incredible 10 miles, raising a fantastic £600, for Willen Hospice on Saturday (27 June) as part of the Willen Hospice Cycle Europe Virtual Challenge powered by energie Fitness MK.

Ariya, who only learned how to ride a bike two months ago, took to the paths and redways of Milton Keynes. She got caught in the soaking rain, and gusty winds, but was determined to keep on riding! With Ariya’s help, the Thakrar family raised over £1,100 in total.

Parents, Helen and Bhavish Thakrar said, “Ariya was particularly touched by the story of Willen Hospice and the work they do, so she decided to do her own 10 miles bike ride to support them. We are so proud of her.”

Tracey Jago, Events Manager said, “Ariya is such an inspirational young girl. We absolutely loved seeing photos of her out on her bike during the challenge, and we couldn’t believe it when she hit 10 miles! It’s so wonderful that she did it for Willen Hospice, to help us continuing caring for poorly people and their families, in one of the toughest times we’ve ever faced.”

During the pandemic, Willen Hospice has remained open to patients and, continued providing care to people in their own homes. The charity need to raise £4.7million every year, that’s £9 a minute, to continue providing specialist, compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illnesses, and at the end of their lives. With their usual fundraising events and activity cancelled by Covid-19, taking part in the charity’s events, like the Cycle Europe Virtual Challenge, will help them to continue caring for local families.