A Tamworth charity shop manager has 50 reasons to celebrate after completing an epic cycle challenge to mark a milestone birthday and raise vital funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Ali Jones, who is manager at Acorns shop in Church Street, pedaled to victory on Monday (14 June) after cycling up the iconic Pooley Mound an incredible 50 times on her 50th birthday.
The Tamworth resident’s impressive feat of endurance raised an amazing £1,090 for Acorns and its care for local life limited and life threatened children.
Ali said: “It was absolutely amazing. I got to the top and circled the mound monument three times and then just picked my bike up and shouted!
“When I first set off, I thought crikey it’s warm! But I broke it down into small chunks, three at a time, and once I’d done 30, I knew I could do it – you get to a point where you get beyond how difficult it is and the adrenaline kicks in and it spurs you on.”
Mum Ali set herself the ambitious challenge during lockdown last year after discovering a love of cycling. She wanted to celebrate her 50th birthday in a memorable way that would also help a charity that means so much to her.
Not only did Ali complete 50 cycles up the mound in Pooley Country Park which is known for its steep, spiraled incline and striking gold structure at its peak, she also clocked up a fitting 50 miles cycling to and from the popular beauty spot and up and down the hill.
Ali added: “I knew I wanted to raise funds for Acorns and raise the charity’s profile because its work is so important, and I wanted to thank Acorns for everything they’ve done for me.
“Being a manager for Acorns has done a massive amount for me over the years, it’s boosted my confidence and I’ve always been proud to work for Acorns and I wanted to do something that would make people talk about Acorns and give it the recognition it deserves.”
It’s this motivation that kept Ali going in Monday’s extreme heat and the support of her ‘amazing’ volunteers.
She said: “My volunteers are incredible. The biggest thing you can give is time because it’s something we’re all running out of and to give it freely is massive. They come in week after week, hour after hour and that’s amazing.”
Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for life limited and life threatened children and young people across Tamworth and the West Midlands.
It cost Acorns £27,000 per day to provide its lifeline care and support, the bulk of which comes from fundraising.
Kate Grantham, Area Fundraising Officer at Acorns, said: “We are in awe of what Ali has achieved! What better way to mark a milestone birthday than by completing an incredible feat of endurance and raising money for local children and families.
“We’re so grateful that Ali chose to celebrate her 50th birthday by supporting Acorns. We rely on fundraisers like Ali to continue providing our lifeline care and support. Hopefully her success will inspire others to something special for their local children’s hospice.”
ENDS
For more information or for interview, photograph or filming opportunities, contact the PR and Communications team:
David Chamberlain: 01564 825020 / 07817 612422 / david.chamberlain@acorns.org.uk
Nicki Robinson: 01564 825062 / 07814 302153 / nicki.robinson@acorns.org.uk
Notes to editors:
Due to the sensitive nature of Acorns care services it refrains from using the words ‘terminal’ or ‘terminally ill’ in its press releases and public communications when describing the children who use Acorns and the conditions that they have. Instead, Acorns uses the words ‘life limited’, ‘life limiting’, or ‘life threatening’. Acorns kindly requests that you respect this in your communications when referring to Acorns Children’s Hospice. Acorns children have a lot of living to do. Thank you.
- It costs £27,000 every day to run Acorns services providing care for children and support for their families. The charity relies heavily on donations to fund the majority of its activities.
