This is a bike ride to demonstrate that Ipswich Hospital is much more than a place – it is a community of health without walls. The ride will take you on a journey around the beautiful Suffolk countryside exploring all the villages that are wards at the hospital, to truly connect with our community. Our Chief Executive will be riding the whole way to enact health in our community. You can join us for the full three days and take on the ultimate 200mile challenge, or enter on our final day for the last 53miles.

We ask if you can support our latest appeal in aid of the neo-natal and paediatric units here at the hospital – called The Sunrise Appeal, via gaining sponsors for your sportive achievement. You can do this via JustGiving with your own fundraising page or download a sponsorship form from our website. Or you can simply make a donation at: www.justgiving.com/thesunriseappeal

Everything the event makes goes back to the hospital and towards The Sunrise Appeal.

On Day One (Friday 26th June) and Day Two (Saturday 27th June) there will be a morning tea and lunch stop for you to refuel, Day Three (Sunday 28th June) will also have a morning food stop and a final celebration back at the hospital at the end of the ride.

Anyone is welcome to ride the 'Connecting With Our Community' Sportive but there are a few conditions:

• Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult

• Under 18s must present a signed parental consent form

• Irrespective of age, it is the responsibility of the rider or their parent / guardian to decide which route is suited to their ability

We look forward to seeing you there, good luck!

Route will be downloadable via GPX file before the day, please visit our website: http://www.ipswichhospital.nhs.uk/getinvolved/community-fundraising.htm for more info.

Info for Riders

There are two options: 1. 3 day sportive covering 200 miles in the Suffolk Countryside 2. 1 day sportive covering the final 50 miles All days start and finish at Ipswich Hospital with a 6:30am sign in. Include feed stations every 20 to 30 miles. Nick Hulme, Chief Executive of Ipswich Hospital is riding all the way. Online registration closes on the 22nd June for organisational purposes. If you would like to register after this date please email charity@ipswichhospital.nhs.uk and we will see what is possible. You cannot register on the day so please make sure you register before the 22nd June. This sportive is being organised in accordance with British Cycling's event guidance, which includes the cyclists riding at their own risk, obeying the highway code and riding safely including, of course, wearing a cycle helmet.