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Bristol to Bath Bike/Walk/Run

By Jessica Horne Rowan

Help me reach my goal of £500

We're fundraising for Rethink Mental Illness!

Sponsored Bike/Run/Walk in memory of our friend Cheryl -  7th September 2025

 

On 31st May 2024, we found out the terrible news that our dear friend Cheryl had died. Cheryl was a wonderful friend: funny, kind, and generous. But she struggled with depression and mental ill-health over many years, as well as physical problems which impacted her wellbeing, and ultimately took her own life. It was a heartbreaking event that continues to reverberate for those who loved and knew her.

A year on from Cheryl’s death, a couple of her friends are coming together in her memory, for the ‘The Cheryl Way’: a 15-mile bike, run, or walk from Bath to Bristol along the old railway line. This is a route that Cheryl used to enjoy cycling down when she lived in Bristol.

Gemma, one of Cheryl’s oldest friends, will be walking the 15 miles from Bath to Bristol, and Jess, Cheryl's long-time colleague and pal, will be running from Bristol to Bath and cycling the return route, aiming to come together with Gemma for the last section of the route. 

Much like navigating our grief, we are both making this journey in our own way. There is no ‘right’ way to make this journey, we will each forge our own path along ‘The Cheryl Way’. We are simply two friends, reflecting on the loss of our friend, and hoping to raise a little bit of money and awareness along the way.

The new date is just a few days before World Suicide Prevention Day. We will be raising money for Rethink Mental Health, who do vital work to bring about meaningful change to the health and social care system, a system that is currently not fit for purpose, bursting at the seams, and that needs significant funding and resources to make sure that people experiencing mental illness can have the best quality of life possible. 

Rethink Mental Illness does incredible work in providing support, information, and advocacy for people living with mental illness. By fundraising for them, we hope to ensure that vital services are available to those who need them most.

We will also be sharing resources and guidance from suicide bereavement charities as part of the sponsored bike/run/walk. 

If you can spare any small donations towards this cause, we would be incredibly grateful, but we also really appreciate your well-wishes and general support. 

Anyone is welcome to join us on this challenge, just bring yourself, your bike/trainers, enthusiasm and snacks! Contact Jess or Gemma for more info if you'd like to join us. 

Thank you for your support - it means a lot. 

Rough Event Timetable
8am – Jess sets off from Bristol to Bath (run) and Gemma sets off from Bath to Bristol (walk) 

11am -  Jess sets off from Bath back to Bristol (bike)

12.30/1pmish - Both of us reach the finish line in Bristol at Newtown Park Playground, Bristol, BS2 0AJ - and then we go for chips (the true Cheryl way to do things) 

Please support my fundraising!

Raised

£677 + £86 GiftAid

My Goal

£500

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My Updates

We're back on! A new date and a renewed fund-raising effort!

Thursday 24th Jul
We're back! My ribs are thankfully all healed and we've got a new date for Bristol to Bath - Sunday 7th September 2025. 

Sadly Rhoda is unable to join us, but she'll be there in spirit. So if anyone else would like to join us for a leg of walking, running, or biking, please get in touch! 

We're delighted to have already raised nearly £700, so a massive thank you to everyone who has donated. Can we get to £1000? We could make a real difference to Rethink Mental Illness with that kind of amount. 

Plans tripped up at the last minute!

Wednesday 28th May

So with just a few days to go, I'm sorry to say that we've had to postpone our bike/walk/run event and the Cheryl Way. 

I (Jess) managed to trip over a wire whilst out running, and hit the ground with quite an impressive thud. I thought I'd just done surface level injuries, with an impressive group of cuts and bruises to my hands and knees and a little bruise on my chin. But it turns out I hit my ribs and back pretty hard and I've caused myself a proper injury. Even breathing deeply, turning my body, and sleeping is a bit of a struggle at the moment, so I've had to admit defeat. Rhoda was also having some issues with plantar fasciitis so we've taken the difficult decision of postponing our plans. 

We are very determined to do the Cheryl Way and will be rearranging as soon as possible, although realistically it might be July/August to give me enough healing time. 

I am really gutted to have to postpone so close to the day of the event, especially when people have been so generous with their donations. 

So watch this space for a new date! Thank you again for your donations and support, and my apologies for being a clumsy oaf (although HONESTLY who puts wire across a path?!!?!).

Jess x 

Thank you to my Sponsors

£53.32

Syndie

Sending love & support to you all for completing The Cheryl Way, whenever it may be possible. :)

£53.32

Gill Bull

£53.32

Kate Conner

In Cheryl's memory.

£53.32

Ian Conner

Well done to you all, a lovely idea

£52.12

Tom Steinberg

£50.14

Stephen Conner

Thank you for doing this in Cheryl's memory. A good cause. I hope the weather is good for you on the day. Xx

£50

Georgia Bull

Lots of Love, Georgia and Stewart xxx

£50

Anonymous

£32.23

Dennis And Sue

Cheryl is missed so much. Well done Gemma, Rhoda and Jess for doing this - absolutely marvellous. Hope you make it. Cheryl would have loved "The Cheryl Way "

£31.51

Liz Horne

Sending love and strength to all three of you as you remember a very special friend. Liz and Brian xxx

£30

Jack Rowan

Best of luck to all 3 of you, great cause x

£25

Sally Paul

What a thoughtful and kind thing to do in memory of dear Cheryl (my beautiful niece). Bless you girls xxx

£21.84

Emily Hearne

So proud of you always Jess. A lovely tribute to your lovely friend xxxxx

£21.84

Stevie Woodrup

Go on babby!x

£20

Rachel Mead

£20

Sara V

Such a worthy cause and lovely tribute - Jess you're a gem! Xxx

£20

Hollie Cameron

£11.33

Ellie Benton

Well done, amazing cause xx

£11.33

Pat Andrews

£10

Louise Woffindin

£6.11

Nicola Serle

Brilliant cause Jess. Good luck. So lovely that you’re doing this for Cheryl. Xx