‘Magical’ marathon cycle ride raises £10,000 for farming charities

Richard Anscombe, Chief Executive of Fram Farmers (third from right), is seen here at Dunwich beach in Suffolk with other members of the ‘Sleepless in the Saddle’ group after they had successfully completed the gruelling 115-mile overnight charity cycle ride.

The Worshipful Company of Farmers’ charities, which focus on supporting education within the agricultural sector, will benefit by some £10,000 thanks to the efforts of 25 hardy souls who took part in the 115-mile ‘Sleepless in the Saddle’ charity cycle ride from central London to the Suffolk coast over the weekend of 13 – 14 July.

Organised by Richard Anscombe, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, the event formed part of the ‘Dunwich Dynamo’, an annual cycling event which attracts 3000-4000 riders.

Resplendent in their unique event cycling shirts provided by keynote sponsor Corteva, together with Fram Farmers, Payne Crop Nutrition, ProCam and RED Design, participants were given a meal and briefed by Richard Anscombe, Chief Executive of leading UK farmer owned cooperative Fram Farmers, before being seen off from the Farmers’ and Fletchers’ Hall in the City of London at 7pm by Master Rosie Carne.

Making their way out of London, the group passed through Hackney, the Lea Valley and Epping Forest before making their way into the lovely Essex countryside as night fell. From there they made their way north, and after 61 miles arrived at the first of two ‘private’ food stops, which were hosted by Fram Farmers members and sponsored by Bayer Crop Science UK, with food cooked by volunteers from The Farmers Livery Company, Fram Farmers and Bayer.

The first of the venues was at Gestingthorpe in Essex, courtesy of J.R. & E.H. Nott, where riders were provided with hot bacon baps and drinks. The second, at the 100-mile mark, was hosted by Glenn Buckingham of Helmingham Hall Farms at Framsden in Suffolk and when the ‘Sleepless in the Saddle’ riders arrived at Dunwich breakfast awaited them at the well-known Ship Inn.

“Taking part in this event was a magical experience with numerous highlights,” Richard Anscombe states. “Seeing 25 of us all in our unique shirts riding through London was the starting point, then watching the sunset and darkness set in, with a stream of red lights stretching as far as you could see looking like hundreds of red glow-worms.

“Hours later, we saw the first glimpses of dawn breaking through the darkness as we entered Suffolk, then the morning sun rising as we arrived on the beach at Dunwich. The camaraderie was fabulous, and I am very grateful to our team of very willing, able volunteers, which included members of Fram Farmers, together with staff Tim Styles and Lauren Moran.”

Anyone who would like to donate to this worthy cause can do so HERE.