Olton-born bereavement counsellor Saiqa Phillips, 32, will be jumping on her Peloton bike and riding 100 miles a week for 10 weeks to raise funds to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Marie Curie hospice in Solihull.
The Marsh Lane hospice has been providing end-of life-care for patients with terminal illness in its purpose-built building since 2013, relocating from the old Warren Pearl site on Warwick Road.
Saiqa will pedal off on 18 November to mark Children's Grief Awareness week and with a little help from family and friends will pass the virtual finish line January 13 2023.
Saiqa said: “I have worked at the hospice in the Family Support Team for over two years, supporting people of all ages experiencing the death of someone close and grief. I am in awe of the dedication, resilience, and compassion that all my colleagues in the hospice team show for those that come into our care as well as their families.
“This cycling challenge is something I have never done before and it is not going to be easy by any stretch. My motivation is to raise awareness of the support available for those grieving and the end-of-life care available at the hospice.
“During lockdown, a major change for me was purchasing an exercise bike. It occurred to me that one of the most invaluable privileges I have is to be able to move my body. Our patients navigating through such challenging times may not have this opportunity.
“So, this is for them and for every person we have the honour of supporting and caring for. Born and bred in Solihull, I am so proud to work for Marie Curie and it is such a wonderful cause to be supporting locally. Raising funds will enable our services to continue to grow and flourish.”
The total distance of the tough 10-week challenge will add up to a full round-trip of Marie Curie’s 9 Hospices and head office across the UK. Marie Curie hospices have bereavement counsellors, like Saiqa, to provide support to people both pre and post bereavement.
