The organisers of the Cycle4Cynthia fundraising challenge have urged local people to come out and support cyclists along the route. The annual charity bike ride has raised more than £789,000 for Cynthia Spencer Hospice care since its launch 21 years ago.
This year the charity has added a 70-mile route to the challenge, which takes place on Sunday, September 22. The start and finish lines are at Northamptonshire’s historic Lamport Hall and there are also two shorter options of 25 miles or 50 miles. Villagers and businesses along the routes are encouraged to come out and cheer for the participants and hold their own smaller fundraising events such as coffee and cake sales.
Holly Shannon is hoping to raise £2,000 for the cause in memory of her father, lifelong cyclist Simon Bown, who died at the hospice earlier this year.
She said:
“I want to do Dad proud, and so would like to make my own contribution this year. Dad was a lifelong cyclist, so I thought it would be very fitting, especially as the route will take me along many of the roads we cycled together over the years.”
In 2023, Kate Stamp completed the 10-mile course in memory of her friend Rachel who was a patient at the hospice.
She said:
“My friend Rachel passed away a couple of years ago from cancer and she was at Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Events like this are a good thing to do to give back.
“I was really nervous at the beginning because I was on my own and I didn’t have any supporters, but the atmosphere was amazing, and everyone was cheering us on.”
Anyone who doesn’t want to ride and doesn’t have a base along the route can also get involved in the family friendly activities at Lamport Hall, in order to support the charity and the bikers on the day. Everyone is welcome.
Anita Frith, Director of Income Generation & Communications at the hospice, said:
“This is such a fantastic challenge for cyclists but there are so many other ways that local people can get involved too.
“We hope that more of the community will get behind Cycle4Cynthia this year as every penny counts. Come to the finish line and celebrate our cyclists’ achievements and have a go at all the family fun on offer.
“All support is so gratefully received, whether you make a banner and stand on the street side cheering or hold a cake sale in your village to raise additional funds, you can Make A Difference, Your Way.”
To register for the Cycle4Cynthia challenge on September 22, visit the website or simply turn up on the day for family fun.
