Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Nicole Cooke has announced support for the Christian Aid London-to-Paris global poverty bike ride.
Ms Cooke, winner of the 2008 Women’s Road Race, is also encouraging last minute entries before the closing date of 12 May 2011.
The 300 mile charity cycle ride takes place from 20-24 July 2011.
It will see a group of 140 cyclists from Christian Aid’s ‘Team Poverty’ beginning their 4 day challenge from London and arriving at the Eiffel Tower in time for the finale of the 2011 Tour de France.
Nicole Cooke MBE explained: “This is a rewarding and healthy way of raising money for Christian Aid, which will go towards helping the most deserving people across the world, who will be helped to lift themselves out of poverty.”
Also joining ‘Team Poverty’ for the third time is Christian Aid supporter the Rev Andrew Sully from Wales. He said: “Cycling to Paris is a way of saying how the little gestures we make to reduce our carbon footprints can collectively make a world of difference.”
A £99 registration fee will secure a place and all participants are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £1,100. Everyone taking part will also receive a training t-shirt, nutritional and training advice, a fundraising pack, a celebratory meal at the end of the ride – and “a warm feeling inside knowing they are raising money for a great cause”, say the organisers.
To register for the bike challenge go to: www.christianaid.org.uk/cycling to secure a place.
Christian Aid works in some of the world’s poorest communities in nearly 50 countries. It acts where the need is greatest, regardless of religion, “helping people build the lives they deserve”.