Family and friends of Derbyshire equestrian Danni Meehan have raised more than £20,000 for the air ambulance by taking part in a charity bike ride on her birthday – and donations are still coming in.
Accomplished horse rider Danni, of Blackbrook near Duffield, died in July 2021 after falling from her horse, Lilly. The air ambulance attended the scene within minutes, but the medics were not able to save her.
Nine months later, on the day Danni would have been celebrating her 33rd birthday, around 60 of her friends and family met at Markeaton Park in Derby where they set off on the 50-mile Cycle Derby Sportive.
Her partner Chris Kent, who works at Derbyshire firm Lubrizol – which provided generous support for the fundraising ride – was one of the “Ride High Danni” team, along with Danni’s parents Debbie and Sean and her brother Dominic. Even though Dominic could not take part in the ride itself, he gave invaluable support to family and friends all the way around, as well as taking many photos and videos capturing the day.
Wearing the cycling jerseys sponsored by Derbyshire firm Sally Cowan Ltd in the pink colours Danni used to race in, most participants in the charity ride chose the middle distance of 80 kilometres offered by the event.
Chris said the experience of doing the Cycle Derby Sportive had been “amazing”. He said: “I think Danni is looking down at us all and is, extremely proud, not only of me but the rest of us as well.”
Debbie said: “Emotions were certainly running high when we completed the Cycle Derby Sportive, but although it was a sad day being Danni’s birthday, it was overwhelmingly positive too that we were able to come together on our bikes to take part in this ride. The amount of money we have managed to raise for the air ambulance is quite simply humbling. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has reached out to us and given money to this very worthy cause.”
Chris said: “It was a great day. The weather was perfect. I felt quite nervous prior to the ride, but it was fantastic to see this huge group of people all wearing Danni’s pink riding colours.
“The ride itself was really good. I completed the distance in three and a half hours – but I would have been happy with anything under four hours to be honest. All of my close friends really enjoyed the event too. Many of them are keen cyclists anyway, but even the ones that are relatively new to the sport really embraced the day.
“I must admit that when approaching the finish line, I was very emotional. It has been such a build-up these last three months, especially with it being such a big milestone – Danni’s birthday.
“I really enjoy cycling now, it has become part of my weekly routine. Cycling is such a good outlet both physically and mentally. I have found that it has become quite cathartic. Outside of work, I try and go out two, maybe three times a week. I have even purchased a new bike recently, so I am fully committed now!”
Community fundraising executive for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance, Tracey Jones, said: “Everyone involved in the Ride High Danni cycle sportive has done a truly wonderful thing in memory of her, and the amount they have raised for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance is phenomenal.
“Our vital service is funded solely on generous donations like this, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support everyone has shown to the charity during a very difficult time for them. Each mission costs the charity £1,700, and we’re always looking at ways to enhance our frontline service, so the donation of over £20,000 will enable our crews to keep providing the highest level of pre-hospital critical care to our patients across Derbyshire and further afield.
“On behalf of the charity, I thank the family and friends of Danni wholeheartedly for their generosity, because of them, we can help reach more people in their hour of need.”
You can still contribute to Ride High Danni here: https://tinyurl.com/bdfvy52n
