Charity bike ride raises £2,000

The Willow Foundatio is a national charity established in 1999 by Arsenal legend Bob Wilson and his wife Megs in memory of their daughter.

It is the only national charity that provides psychological and emotional support for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds through the provision of special day experiences.

Tom said: “We left Winchelsea Beach in the morning and had a support team to follow us for the whole day, with special thanks to Barrett Hollands.

“We rode along the beach and various cycle paths battling monstrous headwinds and red hot heat. Not the best thing to be doing when you’re dressed as Elmo, Tweety-Pie, the Honey Monster or Sonic The Hedgehog!

“After collecting money around the Rye town and in the Crown Inn we headed towards Camber where we took a short break. We then continued on until we reached our 15 mile point, at which a barbecue on the beach was enjoyed by all.

Then it was time for the journey home with the wind behind us but the sun still blistering hot.

“A great day was had by all with some very sore bottoms, but a lot of laughter.

“We aimed to raise £1500 and are still collecting the money. At this time we can see we’ve easily reached our target, with our total looking like its going to be in the region of £2000.

“We must include big well dones for sisters Mia, Jessica and Natasha Playford, who were the only girls to come and all completed the ride, with the latter two riding a tandem!

“Special thanks and lots of appreciation for Rye Hire for providing bicycles and a tandem free of charge and Greg at The River Haven Hotel for supplying helium for the balloons. Also to Bliby Plastics, Piper Joinery and Sainsburys, Ashford for their generous donations.

“If anyone would like to donate please go to www.justgiving.com/bunchofmuppets - It would be amazing if people could spare anything.”