A Brighton charity boss has challenged the business community to back a fundraising bike ride in aid of the homeless.
Andy Winter, chief executive of Brighton Housing Trust (BHT), wants firms and their staff to sign up for the 2018 Greater Brighton Cycle Challenge.
The ride is due to take place at the Preston Park Velodrome starting at 7am on Sunday 1 July.
Mr Winter said: “This all-day family-friendly event is open to the whole community and to people of all abilities who can ride as little or as much as they want.”
Cyclists can take part in BHT’s “Around the World Challenge” with the aim of collectively riding the distance around the world, 40,075km, in 12 hours.
And family-fun entertainment is scheduled throughout the day while designated cycling slots will be timetabled for families and cycle clubs.
Alternatively, BHT said that cyclists could enjoy the beauty of “the Living Coast”, a designated UNESCO World Biosphere Region, by cycling a 30 or 58-mile route along the coast and on to the South Downs, starting and finishing at the velodrome.
Cyclists on these rides can raise money for BHT’s First Base Day Centre to support local men and women to move away from the streets – or for other good causes of their choosing.
One of the challenges to the business community is to sponsor the event, with three packages available
- Gold sponsorship at £2,000 for which sponsors will get their company’s name on banners, materials and website, photos of their chief executive or managing director on the day and in pre-publicity, as well as free entry for a team of 20
- Silver sponsorship at £1,000 for which sponsors will get their company’s name on materials and website, photo of their chief executive or managing director on the day and in pre-publicity, as well as free entry for a team of 10
- Bronze sponsorship at £500 for which sponsors will get their company’s name on materials and website, as well as free entry for a team of 5
Mr Winter said: “The business community in Brighton and Hove is incredibly generous in its support for local charities.
“The Greater Brighton Cycle Challenge offers businesses a really fun day where they can support local charities and stretch their legs on their bicycles.
“We are extremely excited about running an even bigger and more exciting event this year.
“We didn’t quite clock up the mileage around the world last year but we were overwhelmed by the support of over 350 people on the day who raised over £15,000 to help people to move away from the streets and live independent and healthy lives.
“This year promises to be even better.”
Rich Howorth, biosphere programme manager for the Living Coast, said: “Our mission is to connect people and nature to pioneer a positive future for both as an international demonstration area for sustainable living.
“By partnering with BHT at this event, we are linking our local social and environmental objectives while raising money for great causes.
“We want the local community to enjoy and help sustain the Living Coast that brings together the towns, downs and coast of this UNESCO-designated ‘world biosphere region’ within the Greater Brighton area.”
For more information and to register to this event, please visit www.bht.org.uk or https://www.facebook.com/events/813131802204809.
