Super cyclist sets off on 215 mile Southport to Edinburgh ride to raise funds for Forget Me Not Dementia Cafe

Andrew Brown
3 Min Read
Ricky Webb has set off on a fundraising cycle ride of over 200 miles to support the dementia cafe in Southport. Photo by Michelle Foster

Ricky Webb has today set off on a fundraising cycle ride of over 200 miles to support the dementia cafe in Southport. 

He set off from the Forget Me Not Dementia Cafe, which is situated inside the Southport YMCA building on Hoghton Street in Southport town centre, at 7.30am this morning’ heading off on a 215-mile journey towards Edinburgh in Scotland. 

A series of wellwishers were there to wave him off this morning, with local photographer Michelle Foster on hand to take pictures. 

People can support Ricky Webb’s fundraising campaign here: Crowdfunding For Good From JustGiving 

You can track his progress here: https://live.kongtracking.com/RCC2026/ 

Jenny Bowles, who founded the cafe, said: “Ricky is a wonderful local man who is undertaking a massive, sponsored cycle ride to raise funds for the Forget Me Not Dementia Cafe. 

“He will ride 215 miles from Southport, via Carlisle, to Edinburgh. 

“He has a JustGiving page set up. He has hoped to to raise £1,000 and has already surpassed that:  https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/richard-webb-132?utm_term=9Bqy4b5DN&utm_medium=FA&utm_source=WA

“We will use funds to support the continuation of the cafe including the refurbishment of the conservatory and outside garden areas so that during the summer months, our guests can move from the lounge to the conservatory to enjoy the natural light and warmth whilst enjoying what we hope will become a great garden area. 

“The added benefit is the wider community that uses the centre will benefit from improvements to the outside space and as you know the community centre works with all segments of the local community including young people and adults with additional needs including learning disabilities, young carers, people living with dementia and their carers, pre-school children and of course numerous community groups, schools and special schools use the centre. 

“I hope Rick’s great effort will be part of a wider summer appeal we will run to support the development of the cafe and the improvements to the outside of the community centre.”

The Dementia Cafe is the brainchild of CEO of Southport Community Sports Steve Haworth and volunteer Jenny Bowles.

Steve took over running what was the YMCA community centre nine years ago and set up Southport Community Sports three years ago. 

Like so many, Steve and Jenny have experienced family members who have been affected by dementia. In Steve’s case it was uncle, and with Jenny, her father. 

They want to use the facilities available within the community centre to offer a warm space and friendship to those that suffer directly from the disease and their carers. 

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