Support mounts up for hospice
(Herald Express 17/11/2005)

SADDLE SORE: Members of Tring Fire Brigade and Tring Athletic before the charity bike ride.

A Group of Tring men took a cycling challenge to raise money for the Hospice of St Francis.
Members of the Tring Fire Brigade and Tring Athletic Football Club took a journey down the tow path all the way to London and raised a grand total of £1,120.

Steve Hill, a former retained firefighter who organised the ride, said: "We have been doing the ride for about six or seven years but this year was different. Our friend Alex Gabbitass died earlier this year in the Hospice of St Francis and we wanted to do something for them.
"They are an extremely good charity. You don't get bad care in there. For all we know we may need to use it at some time."

The gruelling 55 mile cycle, and train ride home, is made all the better by the treat at the end.
Steve added: "It's a very good day. The deal is we have to get all the way there and then we can have a drink!"

Crafty way to help
Artistic local youngsters have been rewarded for their decorating abilities in aid of the Hospice of St Francis.
A Garden Party was held at Ashridge in aid of the hospice during summer and children were set a challenge to keep them busy until half-term.

Alison Townsend, one of the organisers, said: "The event raised awareness of the hospice and what it does. It hopefully creates a new generation of hospice supporters."

A competition was organised to either grow a pumpkin, a gourd or for the less green fingered, decorate a plant pot.
The winners were Berkhamsted's Joseph Connolly in the under 5s and Hannah Elderfield in the over 5s. Alison said: "Hannah had decorated with the words Hospice of St Francis and Joseph proved to be a very talented young boy!"