Big Push set for Clumber Park

The wheels are in motion to aid bridge restoration project.

Clumber Park staff’s 24-hour fundraising cycling challenge ‘The Big Push’ for Ornamental Bridge restoration

Back in early March 2018, the stunning Ornamental Bridge at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire was subject to an act of extreme intentional vandalism resulting in the bridge being damaged and closed to vehicles. Since the incident occurred, the response from the public has been phenomenal with support coming from far and wide.

The repairs to the bridge will be met and covered by insurance and the National Trust will begin the rebuild of the bridge in early May. However, out of adversity comes opportunity and when the scaffolding is in place for the bridge repair work, National Trust will be able to carry out restoration to other areas of the bridge – this is essential work that is needed, but which is not covered by our insurance.

Photo: Ornamental Bridge Clumber Park prior to vandalism.

Four Clumber Park employees will be taking part in a gruelling 24-hour cycling challenge on Saturday 27^th & Sunday 28^th April to raise funds for this essential work, with members of the Supporter Engagement Team hoping to raise £20,000. This will go towards the additional restoration costs of the bridge, with any funds raised over this target going towards conservation work in the wider parkland.

The four are 'not-so-seasoned' cyclists by their own admission but have been inspired take this opportunity to fund additional work to the bridge.

Each team member will be doing their share of the cycling in a 'relay' type approach, with each expected to cycle around 140 miles in 24 hours around Clumber Lake. 

The team have been keeping a training log on Clumber Park’s website, documenting the brutal training regime and their progress as the ride itself becomes ever closer.

Torri Crapper, Supporter Engagement Manager, will be joined by Kate Stark, Sara Gacem and Claire Sarris, and whilst none of the team had any real cycling experience before they started training, they are all relishing the challenge and the chance to raise money for such an important cause.

Torri said, "The morning I saw the bridge had been vandalised in such a way, it was completely heart-breaking".

"Over the years it has been standing, people have made their own memories here be it cycling over the bridge with family, or walking over, spending special precious moments here".

"In all of the sadness, the support for the park was just lovely. We want to do our bit to help raise funds to restore this beautiful feature of Clumber Park".

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the people who have already donated, to our sponsors – JE James Cycles, Giant, Speedy and Crewsaders, and to all of our supporters.”

Donations are still being taken – you can visit the Big Push team’s Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/clumberparkthebigpush

In addition to the epic cycle challenge, there will be plenty of additional family cycling activities to take place on the same weekend –– as well as the perfect chance for visitors to show their support and cheer the Big Push team on.