Capital to Coast
| Date: | Sunday 27th June 2010 |
CYCLISTS RIDE FROM CAPITAL TO COAST RAISING £300,000 FOR CHARITY
More than 1,600 cyclists got in gear to raise £300,000 during the annual Capital to Coast Cycle Challenge for Charity on Sunday 28th June 2009
The scenic ride ending up in the picturesque seaside town of Hove in East Sussex was organised on behalf of several charities, including The Down's Syndrome Association, Norwood, The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Heart's Have a Heart appeal.
Riders got to chose from three different routes this year: a 60 mile ride from Esher College in Surrey; a gentler 30 mile ride beginning at Haywards Heath in West Sussex; and a new 60 mile Hove to Hove circular route, starting and finishing on Kings Lawns at the bottom of Grand Avenue.
Everyone enjoyed the blazing sunshine and were refreshed by the complimentary food and drink provided by the organisers along the route to help them cope with the tough cycling challenge and high temperatures.
Gerry Draper, 42, was one of 1600 cyclists who rode the 60 miles from Esher, along with three friends - Catherine Scull, Joanna Gamble and Sylvanna Sandhu forming "Joe's Gang". Gerry is raising money for the Down's Syndrome Association (DSA). Gerry is proud mother to Abbie, aged seven and Joe who is four. Over the years, the DSA have Gerry and her family information and support, as well as championing the rights of people with Down's syndrome. They have also received training on how Joe can live successfully with Down's syndrome and that is why Gerry got a team together to undertake the 60-mile Cycle Challenge. She said, "I have received so much support and want to give something back, and that's why I've done Capital to Coast. I am so proud of Joe and want people to know that it's OK to have Down's syndrome. It was really well-organised event. I've never had a puncture before, but on the ride we had a couple, the marshals on motorbikes were our heroes and got us going twice. I've got no aches after the ride and can even still sit down! It was great and we just want to do it again. Our families were there, including Joe, cheering us on at the end. We aimed to raise £1,000 for Joe's team but we've already doubled it and the money's still coming in."
Gary Church said "I found the ride to be really well organised. The people were lovely and very helpful. I just wish there weren't so many hills! Still I can't wait for next year and I am going to try and bring along a few friends to ride with." Gary's son Alfie was his inspiration for taking part and raising funds for the DSA. "Taking part in the ride gave me a sense of pride and I felt I was doing something, in a small way, for Alfie and all other people with Down's syndrome."
To sign up for this years ride please click here or contact us for a registration form. When signing up online, please put 'DSA' in the area 'how did you hear about this event' under code.
To read Graeme Card's account of the ride from 2008, please click here
| Official Website: | www.capitaltocoast.org.uk |
| DSA Contact: | Alexa Dizon Tel: 0845 230 0372 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
So early on Monday morning, 6th April, M&S Chester welcomed a special visitor, Grace (who plays "Baby Janet" in EastEnders) and presented her with a massive cheque for the Down's Syndrome Association.
We were inspired to raise money for the Down's Syndrome Association after Kate told us about her niece Grace and the excellent work that the charity does.