A LOCAL cyclist is gearing up for the ride of his life to raise money to support Islanders with Motor Neurone Disease and their families.
Following almost three months of training around the Island, on 29 August, David Ratcliffe will be setting off on a challenge that will take him from Jersey to Perpignan.
Dubbed ‘Ratcliffe’s Ride’, the challenge will take him almost three weeks, during which he will cover a distance of 1,300km whilst camping every night.
It’s not his first ‘extreme’ cycling challenge.
In 2019, David and another local cyclist completed a charity bike ride, which took them down the Atlantic coast of France, finishing up in San Sebastián.
They raised over £3,500 for the Jersey Motor Neurone Disease Association at the time.
But this year, David has set the bar even higher with a target of £5,000 for his solo challenge.
David explained that he decided to start fundraising for MND following the death of a friend’s husband a few years ago.
“The MNDA is a cause close to my heart,” David said. “I have seen the invaluable support the MNDA Jersey Branch give to families battling Motor Neurone Disease and I want to do my bit to support their amazing work.”
He was further inspired by former English rugby player Rob Burrow CBE, who raised awareness of MND following his own diagnosis in 2019, and passed away in 2024.
“Thanks to Rob [Burrow], people with MND have told us they no longer have to explain what MND is to strangers, people understand and have seen the impact on families and friends,” he said.
“They have been inspired to fundraise like never before, going to extraordinary lengths to bring new awareness to this devastating disease.”
Fundraising is now well underway, with John Sweeney and Martin Vasev from the Pembroke Pub having raised £863 towards Ratcliffe’s Ride in the last month.
All of the money David raises will go to MNDA Jersey and he will be taking three weeks of unpaid holiday to complete the challenge.
You can donate to David’s Just Giving page here or scan the QR code below:
