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Fiona's Fundraising Page

Fiona is cycling Palace to Palace for St Christopher's

Help me reach my goal of £2,800

4 Days. 283 Miles. Over 50 Cyclists.

One Extraordinary Cause. 

Taking on the challenge of cycling from Crystal Palace to the Palace of Versailles on 10th -14th September 2025, all in support of our local hospice. 

Cycling Palace to Palace for St Christopher's

St Christopher’s Hospice exists to promote and provide skilled and compassionate palliative care of the highest quality.

Their vision is of a world in which all dying people and those close to them have access to appropriate care and support, when they need it, wherever they need it and whoever they are.

They rely on the generosity of their community, through fundraising campaigns like this, to continue providing our specialist palliative care and familiy care services free of charge.

Thank you for your support.

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£3,303 + £448.39 GiftAid

My Goal

£2,800

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My Achievements

Added profile picture

Shared page

Added blog post

Received 5 donations

50% fundraising target

Fundraising target reached 100%

My Updates

Day 3 - the calm after the storm

Friday 12th Sep
Today was everything that yesterday was not. Sunny, a tail wind, no rain, a shorter distance (69 miles) and only 800 metres of climb. I even was complimented on my cycling - at least my efficiency at going uphill at pace. Everything and everyone felt happier; and, the sharing of personal stories and our motivations for committing to this challenge deepened with our growing bond fostered through our shared belief in the pricelessness of compassionate end of life care and the support of the bereaved kith and kin. Allez, le Palais de Versailles nous attend.

Day 2 - the challenges

Thursday 11th Sep
What a day it has been! We have cycled 87 miles (140 kms) including 4440 feet climbs and were luckier - particularly me - with the weather. The really heavy downpour around midday coincided with my first  puncture. Luckily my bike husband John was on hand to give me a lesson on what to do and we could also shelter from the rain whilst we did this. I continue to be much better ascending rather than  descending hills but I am having to get a bit braver as a tender left elbow is making it harder to operate the main left brake. What a relief it was to  finally arrive in Lisieux - having smashed my previous PB for daily miles in the saddle.

Day 1 is done!

Wednesday 10th Sep
I can’t believe that we have done it. Cycling from St Christopher’s site at Sydenham to the ferry port of Newhaven via a few highways and byways, in the sunshine and in the rain fuelled by jelly babies, flapjacks and a lunchtime curry. We have been ably supported by a whole host of St Christopher’s colleagues and by Adventure Holidays staff. And there has been a growing sense of camaraderie amongst all of the cyclists as  we find our way with the challenge(s) of this ride. Let’s see what Day 2 brings…

All the gear and no idea

Sunday 7th Sep
This certainly was true of me four months ago when I began to prepare for this big bike ride. The phrase came back to mind today as I did my last training ride which took in a loop of Richmond Park. This beautiful stag regally crossed the road in front of me and captivated me with his foraging seemingly oblivious to all the eyes upon him. Ha-ha, I thought, now I have both the gear and an i-deer (of what I am doing!) 
With three days now until 'le grand depart', I want to thank everyone who has supported me in whatever way they have. This support as well as St Christopher's cause inspires me and will keep me on course throughout this challenge. 
Merci beaucoup a tous et a samedi prochaine quand nous arriverons au chateau de versailles. x

Three passing comments about my cycling

Monday 1st Sep
"I thought that you would be a no-hoper but actually you are not that bad!";
"We need a badge for you saying that you are faster up hills than going down them"; and
My personal favourite "Really... twelve packets of jelly babies for a 4 day cycle?"

We had a Bake Sale

Thursday 7th Aug
Many thanks to Alison and Emma (with a big shout out to Theo and Louis for their baking brilliance) and Cressy, Remy, Emily and Harmony; and importantly all the colleagues and visitors who came to our stall and made a donation as they bought a flapjack, friand or florentine, gingerbread person, bun, cake, caramel shortbread (thanks for the recipe Julie) or jam/marmalade. Your support and generosity means the world not only to me but also to all those who this money will go on to help. Heartfelt appreciation and thanks x
56 Mole and cake ideas | charlie mackesy, horse quotes, charlie

Why I have got on my bike...

Wednesday 16th Jul
I passionately believe in the value of bereavement support. Each of us needs support - whatever that means for us - with the challenges of a grief. Colin Murray Parkes, the visionary who established a bereavement service at St Christopher's over half a century ago, described grief as "the price of love and the cost of commitment". It is an honour for me to follow in his wake to ensure that our support of grievers of whatever age is timely, inclusive, equitable and fit for our current times. I hope that doing this bike ride will be yet another way of remembering that bereavement quite simply is everybody's business. Certainly I am motivated to get on my bike and keep pedalling by the thought of all those who were supported in our first five decades and all whom we would like to be able to support in the next five.
If what I have shared resonates with you please do share this post, send good vibes/wishes/prayers, donate some money so we can continue to provide this vital service.
And above all, take this as encouragement to reach out whenever you are grieving a loved one and know that you need support - doing this may well make a difference. x

Thank you to my Sponsors

£743.41

Bake Sale 31st July

£500

John Firmin

£420

Alison Summers - Fundraising Meal & Cocktails

Good luck Fiona! We had the easier task of raising money for your bike ride by enjoying a 3 course meal and cocktails fundraising evening:)

£266.55

Guess The Jelly Bean

£130.92

Sydenham Bake Sale

£125

Penelope Lester

Good Luck Fiona Thank you for doing this for St Christopher’s From the Lester family

£115

Fiona Walkingshaw

Well done!

£100

Wolfsteiner Family

£55

St Christopher's Executive Team

A heartfelt thank you from the Executive Team. We’re incredibly proud of your commitment, energy and enthusiasm in taking on the Palace to Palace ride in support of St Christopher’s. Your efforts help bring our mission to life and make a real difference to the people we serve. This gift is a small token of our deep appreciation for everything you’re doing — thank you for going the extra mile (literally!) and for being such inspiring ambassadors for the charity. With our best wishes, Steve, Jan, Tom, Amanda, John, Joy, Guy

£50

Sarah Parry

Good luck Fi. Hope you’ve got a comfy seat! x

£45.58

Sale Of Clothing

£42.40

Gita Wolfsteiner

A great initiative. Well done Fiona on taking this on for a great cause. Wishing you fun and success on your ride xx

£40

Elaine And Trevor Saint

Good luck Fiona! Best wishes from Elaine and Trevor

£31.80

Ro Marsh

£30.74

Phoenix Beauty Point

I wish you all the best on your team ride. Give it your all and enjoy every moment!

£30.74

Monica

Amazing effort, I know you can do it, Fiona!

£30.74

Teresa Neville

Good Luck Fiona, What an amazing challenge. You look the part in all the gear!

£30.74

Linda Callaghan

Good luck Fi Fi, keep those wheels turning, AL xx

£29

Fiona Walkingshaw

£29

Wendy Jane Owen

Good luck Fiona. Sarah DLR told me you were doing it. At least you’ve got lovely French food and wine to look forward to at the end! Wendy

£29

Howard, Elizabeth & William

Amazing achievement 🥰 for a very worthy cause x

£29

Karen Chapman

Well done Fiona, an amazing adventure and a cause close to our hearts 💕

£29

Emma, David, Louis And Theo

Thank you Fiona for climbing into the saddle to raise money for a brilliant cause and raise awarensess of our brilliant bereavement services! We'll be cheering you on, and go on prawn pedal power!!! Xxx

£26.50

Sarah De Los Rios

I hope all 50 of you have the ride of your lives, plus no punctures, minimal aches and lots of laughs and all for an incredible cause. You are all simply amazing 🤩

£26.50

Julia Manning

Keep on pedaling Fiona!! Enjoy the ride, the wind in your hair, the fabulous views and a large celebratory drink at the end! Good luck with this fabulous challenge, much love, Julia x

£21.20

Denise Brady

Good luck? -it will be exhausting but should also be good fun!

£21.20

Emma Oakes

£21.20

Eb

Bon chance smidge! If in doubt, just think of being on a tandem!! 😘😘😘

£21.20

Catriona Mcfarlane

Good luck Fiona!! Can’t wait to see you in October, when you can tell us all about it! Love Catriona & Dylan xxx

£21.20

Sandrine Webster

£21.20

Anne Cheeseman

Good luck Fiona!

£20

Julie Napier

£15.90

Claire Walters

Amazing Fiona! Good luck with the ride.

£15.90

Colleagues Buying Apricot Jam

£10.60

Christine Warner

Good luck! Amazing achievement just to be training so hard. You will smash this then you can enjoy some French cuisine and Champagne to celebrate hopefully in Versailles. Bon Voyage!

£10.60

Nicki Gardner

Best of luck Fiona!

£10.60

Duncan Gillies

£10.60

Claire Wills

All the very best with this amazing challenge!

£10.60

Molly Jo Davidson

Best of luck Fiona and all going!!

£10.60

Mandy Bruce

Good luck Fiona! Amazing effort!

£10

Jill Phillips

£10

Anonymous

£10

Marjie S

Go well Fiona!!

£9.54

Fiona Walkingshaw

Sale of clothes

£7.42

Sale Of Clothing

£5.30

Lorna Pearce

Go Fiona!!! Stay hydrated and remember the jelly babies xx

£5.30

Money From Sale Of Jam Made By A Kind Colleague

£5.30

Money Raised By Colleagues Buying Jam Made By Another Kind Colleague

£5.30

Fiona Walkingshaw

Sale of clothing

£4

Johnnyb

Just wanted to see you reach £2800

£1.89

Sydenham Bake Sale