Cycling enthusiasts took to the streets in a fundraising challenge to cycle a whopping 94 miles, from Great Yarmouth to Clacton-on-Sea, for Mid and North East Essex Mind. The challenge, ‘3 counties, 7 Piers’ took place on Sunday 9 June.

30 fundraisers took on the challenge, cycling past seven stunning piers across three counties. Cyclists set off from the Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth, and followed a route which took them past Lowestoft’s Claremont Pier, Southwold Pier, Felixstowe Pier, Ha’penny Pier in Harwich and Walton Pier in Walton-on-the-Naze, before they finished up at Clacton Pier. The entire challenge took around six hours and 30 minutes to complete.

First to finish the rider was John Watts from Mistley, Manningtree who said “I decided to undertake the challenge on behalf of Mid and North East Essex Mind as I have personally suffered with my mental health. Cycling gives me the headspace I need and makes a big difference to my mental health, I wanted to be able to give something back.” 

Supporting the fundraiser was Galloper Wind Farm, an offshore wind farm located approximately 30km off the Suffolk coast and based in Essex.

Conor Nicholson, Business and Stakeholder Coordinator at Galloper Wind Farm, was pleased to support the event. He said: “Galloper Wind Farm is delighted to be sponsoring Mid and North East Essex Mind in the seven piers challenge. At Galloper, we recognise the importance of mental health and have a team of dedicated Wellbeing Ambassadors to support our colleagues.”

He continued: “It’s great to be able to support a local initiative to raise awareness and much needed funding for such a vital service. We hope this allows Mid and North East Essex Mind to further assist anyone in the community who is in need.”

The ‘3 Counties, 7 Piers’ event aimed to raise funds for local branches of Mind. All funds raised will go to Mid and North East Essex, Norfolk and Waveney, and Suffolk Minds, who came together to put on the event. 

To find out more about Mid and North East Essex Mind and the work they do in their local area, visit www.mnessexmind.org.