A 92-year-old man from a village near Broadway is taking on a 40-mile static cycle challenge to raise funds for the hospice that cared for his wife at the end of her life.
Ken and Kate Johnson met in the RAF in Germany in 1951 and were married for 72 years.
Kate spent her final couple of nights at St Richard’s Hospice and since her death in April 2025, Ken has received ongoing bereavement support from the hospice’s family support team.
Ken and Kate Johnson on their wedding day. Picture Ken Johnson
In January Ken suffered a stroke and has been using a sit-down pedal exerciser as part of his rehabilitation.
To give something back to the hospice, he’s set himself the challenge of a static cycle covering the distance from the couple’s home at Childswickham to St Richard’s Hospice via Redditch Hospital, where Kate was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2024.
Ken’s son, Simon said: “Dad was most comforted that Mum spent her last hours under the love, care and compassion of the staff at St Richard’s.
“I’m also so grateful for the care and dignity that the nurses gave mum and the support for me to be able to spend time with her when she passed away.
“For that and the continued support that the family support team has given dad in losing his true love and best friend of 72 years, he wants to give something back.
“It may take him a few weeks doing a few miles each day, but this challenge will give him a sense of purpose by fundraising to help others and as a thank you for looking after mum.”
St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity offering free, expert care for adults with an illness that cannot be cured, and support for their loved ones and carers.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,000 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
This costs approximately £12m including patient care and all the necessary support services.
On his JustGiving page Ken said: “I was in the RAF Police whose nickname is ‘the snowdrop’s’ so it is even more fitting that my 40-mile cycle ride is for St Richard’s whose logo is also the snowdrop.”
Anyone who would like to support Ken can donate can visit it here.
St Richard’s relies on voluntary support, including from donations, gifts in wills, retail and events for most of its income with the remainder funded by the NHS.
Visit www.strichards.org.uk for more information about St Richard’s Hospice.
