Road trip aids Sue's Place

A couple are preparing to take to the road on two wheels in aid of a charity that helps children overcome loss or bereavement.

Mr and Mrs Martyn Drummond plan to motorcycle 1,700 miles in 72 hours to raise money for Sue’s Place.

Mrs Paula Drummond, 46, a play therapist at Sue’s Place, Appletongate, will be pillion passenger for the ride on August 2.

They will set off at 9am from Appletongate and ride to John O’Groats before heading to Land’s End then returning to Newark.

They hope to cover 600 miles a day on a BMW 1150 GS Adventure motorcycle and be back by 9am on Thursday, August 5.

Mr Drummond, 54, who works at Homebase, Newark, said: “We knew we had to make it a real challenge to get as much sponsorship as possible.”

The Drummonds will be accompanied by mascot Bertie The Bear.

Mrs Drummond said: “I have never been on a bike for more than an hour and a half at a time before. I will either love the bike or hate it by the end.”

Sue’s Place, the Newark and Nottinghamshire Child Bereavement and Loss Centre, was set up in May 2002, by Sue Tomlinson.

Support

The aim is to provide support and guidance for youngsters coping with the death of a parent or relative or other issues such as divorce.

Money raised by the Drummonds will go towards a two-day residential bereavement camp in July, 2011, with activities including outdoor climbing, abseiling and therapeutic and creative workshops.

“Bereavement camp gives each child space to remember the special person they have lost and also the opportunity to share their own experiences with other bereaved children,” Mrs Drummond said.

The camp costs £4,000, which needs to be met by fundraising and donations.

The charity is also looking for sponsors to help fund petrol, tyres and other expenses posed by the motorcycle challenge.

Sue’s Place is set to benefit from the efforts of Mr Matthew Bailey, 35, of Newark, who will be tackling the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money.

Mr Bailey will set off on September 18 with ten friends, and a Sue’s Place teddy, to attempt to scale Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, within 24 hours.

Mr Bailey found out about Sue’s Place from a friend who needed its services, and as a result decided to raise money for them.

“Sue’s Place combines play therapy, bereavement support and counselling to help children tell their ‘story’ at their own pace,” said Mrs Drummond, who has worked at the charity for about five years.

To sponsor either Mr and Mrs Drummond or Mr Bailey contact Sue’s Place, Newark, on 01636 551739.