The Macmillan Big Bikeathon is just two weeks away – and the event has come at the perfect time for one group of Market Drayton cyclists.
Around 20 members of the newly-formed Market Drayton Cycling Club will be pedalling the streets in and around the town on Sunday, October 10, to raise money for the cancer charity.
The club was formed by Ben Wylie and Mark Willmore, who run Brenin Bikes in Shrewsbury Road, and members have already taken part in other charity events, including Severn Hospice’s Great Big Bike Ride last month.
Ben said: “The club is relatively informal and we started off by going on 25-mile bike rides from the shop every Tuesday night.
“We’ve done plenty of challenges and entered several bike rides already, so it’s a good time to have the Big Bikeathon.
“Every year, people raise a good amount of money for Macmillan and everyone knows someone who uses the charity, so any event that brings people together for such a worthy cause must be good.”
People can choose whether to do a 12 or 21-mile bike ride starting from the Beacon Community Centre in Market Drayton where registration takes place from 11am. Entry is £10 per person and free for children under 11 who must be accompanied by an adult aged over 18.
Support group chairman Sue Harrison said: “We want as many people as possible to take part and people have been asking us for sponsor forms which is good in that it gets more money in for Macmillan.
“Hopefully, we’ll beat 2008’s figure when we raised £1,500, but we need more people to come and join in. Apparently, it’s the only Big Bikeathon that Macmillan do and we’d like to make it bigger each year for both Market Drayton and Macmillan.”
Clare Nester, fundraising manager for Macmillan in Shropshire, said: “We’ll be absolutely thrilled if people decide to get on their bikes, come along and raise some money for people affected by cancer.
“We know it’s a fun day out for everybody, but it’ll make a huge difference for Macmillan in the county and we hope that lots of people give their support.”
You can enter on the day, or contact Sue Harrison on 01630 655678.
By Winston Brown