Peterborough rocker Gizz Butt is on his bike for Thorpe Hall hospice

On self-confessed ‘rickety bikes that your grandad would own’, the pair are ditching professional equipment, to ‘suffer’ for the cause.

Going via Whittlesey, Coates, Guyhirn and other Fenland areas, their rock and roll tribute ride will honour the memory of late loved ones and those currently in the care of Thorpe Hall.

The ride is being done in memory of the pair’s friends and family, including Helen Day, Steve Kane, Joyce Gillatt, Terry Whyman, Mark Randall and Peter Thomson, as well as other friends from outside the local area.

The pair have done some training for the journey, even riding out during the snow and ice across Fenland fields which Simon admitted was ‘horrible’ but nothing could deter them from the cause.

Simon said: “We decided we both got really unfit over lockdown and we needed something to focus on as we know we are not very good at doing exercise for its own sake.

“We decided to think of something to inspire us to get fit, something to aim for. So we came up with this idea, we have got mutual friends that have died of cancer and have been looked after at Thorpe Hall and our own individual friends and family that have gone. It’s a really worthwhile cause.”

Another special touch, is that their bikes will be adorned with names coming from donors who wanted their loved ones to ride along with them, which was an ‘important’ part of their tribute ride.

The pair will arrive at The Terrace in Hunstanton with their friends and family waiting for them. Not attempting to cycle home, they hope to enjoy some fish and chips as the sun sets.

Gizz said it ‘seemed to be the only right thing to do’ to help Thorpe Hall as it faced financial difficulties during the pandemic.

He added: “It’s going to be difficult but we are going to be thinking about the cause, our friends that have ended up there and our memories. A lot of our friends in the past few years have suffered from cancer and gone through the process and ended up at Thorpe Hall.’’

Nilesh Patel, senior sommunity fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: “We want to wish Gizz and Simon the best of luck with their epic cycle ride – thank you for choosing to support Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. The vital funds and awareness they are raising will help us to be there when it matters for our patients and their loved ones .”

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gizz-butt3