The ‘Wrinkled Wheels’ cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats in September, determined to raise vital funds after learning about the unprecedented financial pressures facing the hospice last summer.

The group, along with Mat Ince, Mark Ranson, Kian Potter and Tony Irwin, additionally hosted a range of fundraising activities and events throughout 2025 to support the charity, including a shared stand at the Tendring show and a clay shoot at Admirals Farm run by Jake Gibbon, George Wright and John Monk.

Before the cyclists departed, they held a fundraising dinner and auction at the Talbooth in Dedham which alone raised more than £20,000, with all the team and guests involved in donating items for Jonathan Benson from Reeman Dansie to auction.

Tony and Wendy from Dedham Vale Detectorists worked with Tony Irwin, owner of St Marys Farm, who gave the gate money to the fundraising efforts, which achieved just over £9,000. Colchester Metal Detectorists also helped George at Admirals Farm to contribute further funds.

Shard was very thankful to the many customers at The Spice in Elmstead Market who generously contributed to the fundraising total.

St Helena Hospice Co-Chief Executive, Kate Heslegrave, welcomed some of the group to the hospice where they were shown the inpatient facilities and where hospice in the home services are co-ordinated from, including the St Helena’s 24/7 SinglePoint support team. Thanking the Wrinkled Wheels, Ms Heslegrave said:

"Our sincere thanks to the Wrinkled Wheels and friends for their amazing donation to St Helena so we can give the best care for local people who need hospice care and bereavement support.

"We rely greatly on our community carrying out generous acts of kindness like this to make sure we can be here when people need us.

"It was wonderful to meet some of the group and show them around our hospice so they can see what the impact of their fundraising will do."