The Dalmatian Bike Ride 2024 fundraising total has surpassed £51,543, with over £14,321.92 of the figure raised from donations in memory of mum-of-two and much-loved teacher Nichala June Gallivan from Newport, who sadly died in March 2024, following a battle with breast cancer.
The annual sporting challenge, sponsored by recruitment company Acorn by Synergie in aid of St David’s Hospice, was one of a number of fundraising activities that Team Nic – made up of family and friends of Nichala – took part in. Through a range of fundraising activities, they raised an incredible total of £25,506 for St David’s Hospice Care.
Team Nic is made up of Nichala’s husband Arran, mum Heather, sister Rachael, brother Mark, sister-in-law Vikki, step-dad Phil, cousin Andrew, uncle Robin, uncle Clive, brother-in-law Adam and friends Nicola and Ryan.
Stand-out fundraisers included Nichala’s mum Heather Larcombe Watkins, who wore a different ‘jolly jumper’ every day for the whole of December, plus Nichala’s husband Arran Gallivan, who raised funds from bucket collections at Wren’s Bakery and Tata Steel in Newport.
Nichala’s brother Mark and his partner Vikki are both in training to take on their first half marathon, the City of Newport’s annual event on March 2nd.
Nichala was an English and Film Studies teacher at Katharine Lady Berkeley School in Gloucestershire and was known for her passion and dedication to positively influencing young people's lives.
Arran Gallivan, Nichala's husband and father to their two children Naevia (11)) and Angus (9) said:
“Life without Nichala has undoubtedly been the hardest challenge we’ve ever faced. But finding comfort in the knowledge that Team Nic is united in honouring her legacy, while supporting the incredible team at St. David’s Hospice and the Unicorn Service, brings us some peace.
“We are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure this invaluable service remains available to support our local community and help families through their most difficult moments.”
Director of Fundraising and Lottery at St David’s Hospice Kris Broome of St David’s said:
“We as a Hospice are indebted to the local community for their continued support, fundraising is paramount to us allowing us to continue to provide our free care and services across Southeast Wales. Such dedicated and unwavering support from friends, family and colleagues In Loving Memory of Nichala exemplifies the huge impact that can be made.
“In such a short space of time, a phenomenal amount has been raised that will make a far-reaching, long-lasting difference to St David's Hospice Care. We are extremely grateful to all who have so far been a part of this incredibly special, inspiring fundraising journey – we would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved, they should all be very proud. We look forward to working with the team during 2025.”
Bernard Ward, Managing Director at Acorn by Synergie said:
“The incredible fundraising total has come about with members of Team Nic and the local community having such drive and passion in order to give something back for the wonderful care received by Nichala, by the team within the in-patient unit at St David’s Hospice Care based in Malpas.
“Here at Acorn by Synergie, we’re really proud to support this sort of community spirit and determination and will continue to do so.”
Since its launch 13 years ago, the Dalmatian Bike Ride has raised £400,000. In June 2024, more than 300 cyclists took on five routes of up to 101km in June 2024 to raise vital funds and awareness in aid of St David’s Hospice, which cares for over 3,200 patients across Wales in Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Monmouthshire, and Mid and South Powys.
Alongside supporting events like the Dalmatian Bike Ride, Acorn by Synergie is committed to creating positive social, economic, and environmental impacts within communities it works in across the UK through its Acorn Impact incentive which launched this year.
