Raizer Ride Challenge: sponsored bike ride for the Care Workers Charity

Over the course of this year, we’ve watched in growing wonder at the great and selfless work of the people we serve. Throughout the pandemic, carers have continued to go about their work despite the increased dangers they face.

Back in May we decided to show our gratitude in a unique way, with a thank you message on the roofs of our van fleet (you can view that here). But while this demonstrated our thanks and care, it didn’t do something tangible to help those on the front line.

So we got our thinking caps on and hit upon a great idea: a sponsored bike ride – but with a difference: towing the Raizer 2 Emergency Lifting Chair on its special trolley along with us. So we planned a 50.7 mile ride, from Southwold Pier to the birthplace of Felgains – Gainsborough Road in Felixstowe.

So, on Saturday 3^rd October, we set off for the start line, anticipation building, and the lovely British weather doing its best to encourage us (not).

Having fortified ourselves with a stiff sea breeze, the Raizer Ride Challenge began. We eagerly set off through Southwold and headed for the River Blythe, and after making a few mechanical adjustments, boarded the ferry and made the short trip across to Walberswick. It was quite a feat getting 3 bikes, 3 raizer trolleys and 3 cyclists on a small ferryboat!

Our voyage done, we settled into the main portion of the ride. As the drizzle stopped and the weather started to lift, we cruised through the picturesque villages of the Suffolk countryside, battling hills, swooping down descents, and generally dodging some sizeable puddles. Dunwich, Westleton and Theberton were all savoured as we passed through.

After battling some severe crosswinds along the exposed Thorpeness stretch, we made it to Aldeburgh for a well-earned breather. Fed and watered, our strength renewed, we continued our mission. Iken, Chillesford, Butley, Hollesley and Alderton were all ticked off as we headed for the mouth of the River Deben.

Having avoided punctures, accidents and any general disaster up to this point, we arrived at Bawdsey Quay to find the ferry not running! After some frantic phone calls and a detour in the support van, we resumed for the last stretch: a short sprint from Felixstowe Ferry to 36 Gainsborough road, victoriously reaching our final destination in the gloaming.

We then performed a lift with the Raizer 2 chair, a fitting reminder of the progress we’ve made in the 43 years since Felgains was founded in a small shop in Felixstowe in 1977.

50.7 miles later and our mission complete, we slumped into the van and headed home for a comfy chair, satisfied at a job well done!

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Care Workers Charity for the great work they do to support care workers on the front line.

Please click here to find out more about the Care Workers Charity