Memorial bike ride offers support to Swanswell
The daughter of a Coventry mother who died last year after falling ill is setting up a sponsored bike ride in her memory and to help raise money for Swanswell.
Jessica Smith contacted the national recovery charity – which wants to achieve a society free from problem alcohol and drug use – about her plans for a memorial bike ride after her mother, Jane Smith, had previously accessed support from the city-based charity.
The event is set to take place on Sunday 22 June 2014 and will involve cycling around eight city highlights, starting at the Ricoh Arena before taking in sites including Coventry Cathedral, Lady Godiva Statue and Memorial Park, ending at Caludon Castle Walls.
The 21-year-old is aiming to raise £1,400 for a plot at St. Paul’s cemetery, so she and her brother Joseph have somewhere they can go to sit with their mum, who died in June 2013.
Jessica has also decided to donate any additional money raised over the original £1,400 target to Swanswell to help others affected by problem alcohol – or drug – use after her mother received support from the Coventry service a few years ago.
Jessica said: ‘Anyone who has lost a close friend or family member will know how hard it is to deal with. Unfortunately for me and my brother, we’ve not been able to save enough money for an area for friends and family to pay their respects.
‘So, we decided to have a memorial bike ride to help contribute towards those costs and also to raise money for Swanswell, who had previously given my mum some fantastic support when she needed it – for which we’re very grateful.
‘We hope some of the money raised will go towards helping other people who might benefit from the support my mum had.’
So far, more than 20 residents in Coventry have signed up to take part in the 19.7-mile bike ride, but there are still places available. Participants will need to bring a pedal bike in order to take part, although donations of bikes are also welcome.
Jessica added: ‘We’d love to make the memorial bike ride a regular feature in Coventry to raise money for good causes such as Swanswell. It’s the perfect way to remember my mum, while helping to make a difference to other people’s lives.
‘If you want to take part or can support us in any way, we’d love to hear from you.’
For further details of the memorial bike ride or to get involved, please email jessicajaynesmith1992@hotmail.co.uk.
To find out more about Swanswell and the services it provides, visit www.swanswell.org.
For more information or supporting photographs, contact:
Stuart Goodwin
PR and Public Policy Manager
Swanswell
Suite 5
Hilton House
Corporation Street
Rugby
CV21 2DN
T 01788 559422
M 07531 490490
stuart.goodwin@swanswell.org
www.swanswell.org
@swanswell
About Swanswell
At Swanswell, we believe in a society free from problem alcohol and drug use; that everyone deserves the chance to change and be happy.
We’re a market leading charity with an exciting programme of innovative new service developments and a team of committed people who are working hard to achieve our ambitions.
Swanswell has a number of offices across the country including Coventry and Warwickshire, Birmingham, Barnsley, Sandwell, Leicestershire and Rutland. Visit Swanswell at: www.swanswell.org.
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