38 new and long-standing Norwood supporters braved the 300km cycle challenge held in and around the scenic countryside of the New Forest amid severe weather warnings, raising £72,000 for the charity. Participants included Norwood Chief Executive Dr Beverley Jacobson riding a tandem with her eldest daughter Talya who endured a fall from their bike and rode through a torrential down pour, showing characteristic resilience in doing so, thanks in no small part to the support of her team-mates and fellow participants.

Despite the group’s cycling day over in the Isle of Wight being cancelled due to 40mph winds, which resulted in the cancellation of the ferry, Norwood’s cyclists still cycled to the coast in spite of the severe winds, completing the challenge.

Norwood has been running its famous Challenges since 1992 to raise money for the charity’s vital services. Like all areas of life, Norwood works to ensure our fundraising Challenges are inclusive and open to the participation of the people we support.  The training and preparation required to participate in a Norwood Challenge has obvious physical benefits, added to which the mental determination, self-belief and physical effort required to complete a Challenge empowers the individual taking part to overcome whatever challenges they may face and to fulfil their potential.