Over 400 Sue Ryder supporters took to the rain-filled skies over Ilkley at the weekend, raising £50,000 for families needing care.
Zip the Cow, which took place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July, saw brave individuals walk up to the top of the iconic ‘cow’ at the Cow and Calf Rocks above Ilkley, before whizzing 270m down Ilkley Moor reaching speeds of up to 35mph.
The charity Sue Ryder, which runs Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope and Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds, organised the sell-out event which was sonsored by Dacre Son and Hartley, Mayfield View Care Home and Woodhouse Grove School. 420 people from age 8 to 76 take on the white-knuckle ride, generating vital funds for the charity which provides expert and compassionate palliative care and bereavement support, helping people live the best lives they can.
Among them was Keighley and Ilkley’s local MP, Robbie Moore. He said: “It was really fantastic to join residents from across our area for Zip the Cow 2023 in support of Sue Ryder.
Despite the windy weather, the event was a roaring success - and I must say it was even more nerve-wracking in the rain!
Zip the Cow has once again proved to be such a brilliant celebration of community unity and resilience, with people of all ages and abilities coming together to champion Sue Ryder’s fantastic contribution to our area.
A huge thank you to all involved in organising this fundraiser and everyone who took part to raise money. I encourage everyone to donate to Sue Ryder and the brilliant work that they do for those with life-limiting conditions in our community by visiting www.sueryder.org/donate.”
Andrew Wood, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, said: “We hope everyone who took on Zip the Cow this weekend has come ‘down to earth’ from the high and dried out from the rain! As always, the electric atmosphere lifted the mood of everyone there and it was wonderful to see families, friends and local businesses come together to have fun, try something new and share a truly memorable experience, all while raising funds for Sue Ryder.
“The event simply wouldn’t be able to go ahead without the support of the Riddlesden and East Morton Manorlands Fundraising Support Group, our brilliant sponsors, event partners, volunteers, and of course the intrepid individuals who bravely take on the challenge each year. We’d like to thank them for their support and generosity – it means the world.”
Next year’s Zip the Cow is now open for entries, but be sure to ‘moove’ quicky to secure your space on the wire. It takes place 20 and 21 July 2024.
For all the details and to sign up, visit: sueryder.org/zipthecow