Can You Marshall Or Donate?

Two Drimpton residents, Paul Clements (Cleaner Chimneys) and Stuart Pearce, are and members of  Drimpton Cycling Club and are taking the Challenge below and cycling the 55.2 miles route to raise funds for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.
Motivation is provided by Stuart’s desire payback for his trip in the helicopter following a cardiac arrest 5 yrs ago. It costs on average £3,500 for each helicopter deployment, so they are seeking to reach that figure as a target, both to repay Stuart’s debt and to cover the cost of a trip for somebody else.

Please click HERE to visit their fundraising page to donate.

The 55 mile route from Watchett to West Bay passes through Drimpton and Broadwindsor as it does annually, so a rest stop at the Royal Oak for local support will be in evidence!

Stuart’s story:

I had been water skiing on the Saturday & we were going back out again on Sunday. Chugged 3 miles round the coast to get to a more calm bay. I got up & promptly keeled over …. Thankfully my best man’s wife saved me going overboard but now had a 13.5 stone dead weight lying on top of her 🥴 Luckily my best man has a 150hp outboard on his rib so floored it back to Salcombe. The lifeboat had been launched but Justin was greeted by the harbour master on his launch for speeding. Once he realised the emergency he escorted Justin to the jetty. Peak holiday season – August 5th. Thankfully 2 families walking by included 2 nurses. They started cpr. 6 doctors were also attracted by the commotion- one got a defib. 2 ambulances turned up from nowhere so they took over & eventually got me to the rugby club where the air ambulance was waiting to take me down to Plymouth. I was in an induced coma for 4 days, ITC for another 8 days & finally released after 22 days with pacemaker & defibrillator fitted. Every day is a bonus, the grass is greener, the sky bluer. Best thing every day is the dog walk. Thoroughly enjoy all the smallest details in life’.

Stuart may not be here today but for the combined efforts of so many bystanders, but critically the speedy trip to hospital via the air ambulance.

From Samantha Smith, DSAA Fundraising Officer…
Dear Residents
On Saturday 18 May 2024 we shall be holding our thirteenth annual Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge, starting at 10.30 am in Watchet and ending in West Bay.
Last year’s event saw 318 supporters take part to help raise funds to keep Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance flying. In doing so they collaboratively rode just over 17,000 miles and raised approx £49,000 – that’s enough to fund approximately 14 missions by the air ambulance.
We are aware that this event may cause you and your neighbours some slight disruption and would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.
If you would be willing to help marshal this event in your neighbourhood and help us keep everyone safe, we would love to hear from you.
With best wishes and many thanks for your support.
Samantha Smith
Fundraising Officer
Tel: 01823 669604


We wish both Paul and Stuart a safe and enjoyable day on Saturday, 18th May 🙂

Please click HERE to
visit their fundraising page to donate.

There are also donation boxes in The Wobbly Cottage and The White Lion.

THANK YOU!

#Broadwindsor #Burstock #Blackdown #Drimpton #Hursey #Kittwhistle #Seaborough #WestDorset #Dorset #Village #AirAmbulance #Somerset #BeKind #BeSafe #StaySafe #CycleChallenge #CoastToCoastCycleChallenge

Marshals Sought For Coast To Coast Cycle Challenge

On Sunday 5th September 2021 the 10th annual Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge will be held, starting at 11.00 am in Watchet and ending in West Bay.
Last year this event was cancelled due to COVID – 19 but in 2019, 571 supporters took part in this event to help raise funds to keep Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance flying. In doing so they collaboratively rode just over 30,200 miles and raised more than £54,000 – that’s enough to fund approximately 18 missions by the air ambulance.

Already sold out, the number of cyclists is limited  to 600, with the option of taking part in two different routes and distances:

  • 55 miles – commencing at Washford Cross Park and Ride (Watchet) and finishing at Station Yard Car Park in West Bay.
  • 11 miles – commencing at Royal Oak Pub (Drimpton) and also finishing in West Bay.

It is designed to be a challenge and not a race, there is no pressure on those who are amateur or occasional cyclists; it attracts cyclists of all ages and abilities. Pitstops situated at various locations along the route, will once again provide a well-earned rest and refreshments for the cyclists who take part.  Marshals are required at various points.

Can you help?

If you would be willing to help marshal this event and help keep everyone safe, they would love to hear from you.
Please email: fundraising@dsairambulance.org.uk

This event may cause some slight disruption and organisers would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused. They have assured that they will follow COVID government guidelines in place at the time of the event.

With the support of West Somerset and Dorset Council, Avon and Somerset and Dorset Police, they pride themselves on offering an event which is registered and insured with British Cycling.

Read more about the Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge – Click HERE.

Good luck to all taking part.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#DorsetAirAmbulance,#Marshal,#BWGPC,#DorsetCouncil,#CoastToCoast,Covid19,#CycleChallenge,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe