Local cyclist begins training for charity challenge across Italy

When Rob Sanderson saw the call for cyclist to join a charity challenge in Italy, he knew he had to sign up.

This October, Rob will be heading to Venice to take part in a 600km cycle ride to Rome which will take him just five days. And it’s all to raise important funds for local charity Winchester Hospice.

“After my wife died ten years ago, I took to cycling to get me out of the house,” recalls Rob. “Over the years, I’ve organised a number of charity cycle rides and, coming to this summer, I knew I wanted to do another, but I just didn’t want to organise it this time. When I saw the hospice was looking for people to join their Venice to Rome cycle ride, I jumped at the chance – and I’ve already recruited a few others to join me too!”

Rob, president of Winchester Rugby Club, has already signed up a team of four people to join him on the ride and is appealing to other local cycle enthusiast to join them. “It’s not really about the cycling,” he says. “I’ve done a few of these trips now and they’re impossible to describe. You’ll make friends and memories that last a lifetime. The pure joy of experiencing another country by bike and immersing yourself in unfamiliar yet beautiful surroundings is second to none. Most importantly, it’s such fun. When you sit down to dinner in the evening and share stories, it’s those moments that matter, especially when you know you’re doing it to raise money for a wonderful cause.”

In December 2023, Rob’s mum spent two days in Winchester Hospice before she died. “It was so peaceful,” he remembers. “If there’s a perfect way to come to your final days of life, that was it. Knowing where the money we raise is going is so important and if I can help just one other family have the same experience we did, it’ll all be worth it.”

The money raised by those taking part will help support the care delivered by Winchester Hospice which supports local people living with life limiting illnesses. The hospice opened in 2021 and has since cared for over 1,500 patients in its building in Romsey Road, with many more cared for in their own homes.

Places are still available for keen cyclists on the challenge and those interested can find out more via the button below.