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Isle of
Man Steam Packet Company backs an ambitious charity challenge
THE Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
has given its backing to an ambitious charity challenge which will see a group
of cyclists attempt to ride more than 450 miles to raise funds for Dementia
charities. The journey, called:- 'stRIDE17,' will see 12 women
cycling through England, the Isle of Man and Wales, for 8 days, as well as
taking on 2 hikes. The Steam Packet Company is assisting with the costs of
travelling to and from the Island during the event in August 2017. The
riders hope to increase awareness of Dementia as well as raising funds for
charities Dementia UK and the Alzheimer's Society. 'stRIDE17'
is being organised by Virginia Bailey, whose father has Vascular Dementia.
Virginia explained:- "For someone with Dementia, memories from the past
often come to the forefront of their minds. So my sister and I wanted to combine
the message of leading an active, healthy lifestyle, which can contribute to
preventing the onset of Dementia, with memories from our Dad's life by visiting
places which are special to him and our family. Over 8 days in August, a team of
brilliantly inspirational women will embark on a 450 mile cycle visiting places
that are significant to both our Dad's and our family's lives, from our
departure in Liverpool, where my Dad grew up and met our wonderful Mum, to
finishing in Shrewsbury, where my sister and I enjoyed an amazing childhood full
of love and happy memories. In between we will visit places that ooze nostalgia
for our family, including the Isle of Man. The Steam Packet Company has been
extremely generous in supporting our efforts by assisting with the cost of
travel to and from the Isle of Man, so on behalf of all involved in stRIDE17 I'd
like to thank the company for its help." The challenge starts in
Liverpool and heads North to the Lake District before turning back to Heysham to
catch the Ferry to Douglas on 8 August. The team will ride a route around the
east and South of the Island before sailing to Liverpool the following day to
continue the journey through North Wales and on to Shrewsbury. Virginia
added:- "We have 2 clear and simple aims; to raise money to support
specialist Dementia care workers and research into the disease and to help
families and carers by raising awareness of Dementia through sharing stories and
opportunities for support. To help improve awareness we're inviting people to
join stRIDE17, whether it is meeting up with the team members to discuss
Dementia, making a donation or joining the journey, for just an hour or as many
days as you'd like. If anyone in the Isle of Man would like to get involved they
can contact me on:-
stride17info@gmail.com." Steam Packet
Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said:- "Dementia is a disease which
affects hundreds of thousands of people across the British Isles including here
in the Isle of Man. Virginia and the stRIDE17 have set themselves quite a
challenge as they try to raise money for 2 leading Dementia charities and,
importantly, greater awareness of the disease and we're pleased to be able to do
our bit to support them. I hope people in the Isle of Man will lend their
support, perhaps jumping on their bikes to ride alongside the 'stRIDE17' team."
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