Call of home drives on Ben – and his pal ET
BEN Griffiths set off at 5am on Friday, March 31, from Urmston and cycled all the way to Abersoch, Wales, in an extraordinary challenge raising money for St Ann’s Hospice.
The famous film character ET took on the challenge with Ben, who was dressed as Elliot. ET was strapped into the basket of the bike and went along for the ride!
Ben took on a 117-mile bike ride from Manchester to Abersoch and completed an incredible 102 miles, before his friends cycling with him agreed Ben had pushed himself to the limit.
Ben says: “I’m gutted that I didn’t make the full distance but by the time I got home I realised the importance of the group’s decision to call time on my effort.”
After Ben completed the ride, he said: “My official ride stats are 165km cycled, 1,920 metres of elevation, and an average speed of 13.8kmh. I took on this challenge in memory of my grandad Len, and to show ●●ST Ann’s Hospice provides holistic care to patients with life-limiting illnesses – comprising inpatient care, day therapy and supportive outpatient services from its sites at Heald Green, Stockport and Little Hulton, Salford.
The teams at the hospice also provide a range of community and my support to the staff and patients at the hospice – you were always in my thoughts.”
Ben’s grandad, Len Morris, was at the hospice earlier this year for a few weeks and died on Monday, January 30, at St Ann’s Hospice’s Heald Green site, after celebrating his 84th birthday there.
He was there for end-of-life treatment due to being ill from T-cell lymphoma that had developed into skin cancer.
“My grandad has a bungalow near to Abersoch outreach services to patients, including care in the place they call home via a Hospice at Home service available in Salford and Trafford, the hospice’s Community Specialist Palliative Care Team in Salford and the homelessness palliative care service in Manchester.
A 24-hour telephone in Llanbedrog, a small town on the coast. This has been the holiday home for our family since I was about two years old – my entire family has so many memories there. I have been so fortunate to spend my childhood there with family and even friends as I’ve got older.”
“I just wanted to pay tribute to my grandad as I wouldn’t have any memories there if it wasn’t for him. We will also be scattering his ashes there this summer.”
Ben rode a £20, 1970s, three-speed Raleigh shopper bike for 12 hours – an incredible amount of effort and physical endurance.
After Ben completed the challenge, he said: “With your help, we have raised £4,060, doubling my original target!”
To donate to Ben and support him with his challenge, his JustGiving page can be found at https://www.justgiving. com/fundraising/ ben-griffiths33 advice line is available to patients, carers and healthcare professionals in Salford, Manchester, Trafford and Stockport.
Our hospice building in Heald Green is 150 years’ old and through our Build It Together appeal we hope to raise the final £2 million we need to build a new hospice next to our current building.