Ride for Rita raises thousands for vet charity
Holly Kernot, Vet Times

Ride for Rita raises thousands for vet charity

Two vets have cycled the length of the UK to honour the memory of a former colleague.

Anna Jennings, director of Seadown Veterinary Services, and Gemma Ives, a veterinary technical advisor at Protexin Veterinary, pedalled 1,000 miles from Land’s Ends to John o’ Groats in 14 days in memory of their close friend and colleague Rita Mesquita, who took her own life last year.

The duo initially hoped their #RideforRita would raise £5,000 for Vetlife, but donations have been pouring in with £8,403 contributed so far.

Miss Jennings said: “Last July our friend and colleague Rita Mesquita tragically took her own life. We decided to cycle from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in her memory and as a personal challenge. In doing so, we have raised money for the charity Vetlife, which provides emotional, financial and mental health support to those working in the veterinary profession.”

They clocked up an average of 80 miles per day and enjoyed the changing scenery as they made their way across the country, gradually becoming accustomed to being in the saddle for most of the day.

Both were slightly shocked when they finally reached their destination and were able to officially call themselves “end-to-enders.’

Another shock was just how much money the feat had attracted.

Miss Jennings added: “We have been amazed by people’s generosity and how much money we have raised. I also feel a sense of personal achievement in how far we cycled and all the scenery we encountered along the way.”

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