Bucks' Red Cross president on way to 150 charity bike rides
Clare is marking 150 years of the organisation with the fundraising challenge
A retired fire chief from Aylesbury has set herself the challenge of 150 rides.
Clare Williams, who serves as the Red Cross’ president for Buckinghamshire, set herself the challenge of completing 150 bike rides over the course of a year to mark the charity’s 150th anniversary.
The former deputy fire chief was inspired by the 'monumental achievements’ made by the charity over the past century and a half.
Clare explained that the challenge is to raise money and awareness:
“It’s been a remarkable 150 years for the Red Cross. Many of the charity's services, which were set up at the height of World War I and are still running to this day.
“Across the UK, the Red Cross responds to emergencies, supports refugees and helps vulnerable people home from hospitals.
“In Buckinghamshire, the Red Cross helped 273 refugees, loaned 944 wheelchairs and helped at 647 emergencies this year alone.
"In the last year there have been people who need help, in situations they have never been in before and some don't know where to go.
"Without fundraising the whole thing would collapse and these people need help. Also, by doing this and talking about it I am letting people know we are here so hopefully that helps too."
Clare’s fundraising story began when she joined the charity as Buckinghamshire president at the beginning of 2020.
Clare was keen to use her connections in the local community to build awareness of the work of Red Cross staff and volunteers.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic put many of Clare’s fundraising plans on hold.
Claire has completed 100 of 150 bike rides so far. She has already racked up an impressive 1,172km since beginning her challenge last summer.
Claire aims to complete the challenge by August and expects to have travelled more than 2,000km by the time she meets her goal:
“The challenge has been far from easy. But the response from the community has been fantastic.
“When I began, I thought the most difficult thing would be exhaustion and aching muscles.
“I never expected flooded cycle tracks, blocked by-ways and hands so cold I could barely hold the handlebars.
“However, people have been friendly, helpful and encouraging. Lots of walkers have stopped for a chat or to offer directions.
"There were even three lovely people who have helped me to retrieve my wellies from muddy puddles!”
As well as acknowledging the charity’s history, Clare wanted to shine a light on the ‘vital’ role of the Red Cross at the forefront of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said: “Our volunteers have supported more than 530,000 people in the UK since the pandemic began.
“We have taken almost 16,000 phone calls on our Covid-19 support line, which was set up to offer practical and emotional support to those affected by the pandemic.
“Across the UK, of those calling asking for help with food a shocking 70 per cent said that they only had enough food for one more day which is just heart-breaking.
“That’s why this challenge is so important to me. It’s vital that people continue to get the help they need.”
Clare has set up a JustGiving page for people to sponsor her challenge.