John Penrose, MP for Weston-super-Mare and Minister for Tourism
and Heritage launched The Great Weston Ride 2011, one of the most
scenic and exciting challenge bike rides to wheel its way into the
South West, on Friday.
Mr Penrose was joined by local cycling enthusiast, 78 year old
Pat Ashford, at Weston-super-Mare seafront to call on people across
Avon and Somerset to sign up for the ride, which is being held in
support of The Prostate Cancer Charity.
The 56 mile bike ride, in its second year and taking place on
Sunday 17 July, will start in Long Ashton in Bristol and run
through the Mendips and across the Somerset Levels, before
finishing beside the sea in Weston-super-Mare.
Pat, a retired secretary, was inspired to sign up for the event
and fundraise for the Charity as her husband Mike, 75, was
diagnosed and successfully treated for prostate cancer five years
ago.
Pat, of Uphill Road South, said: "I have been cycling for most
of my life and started getting out on my bike to do long distance
routes when I retired. I've cycled from Land's End to John
O'Groat's and from London to Paris, so when I read about The Great
Weston ride, I didn't hesitate to sign up. Then when I looked more
closely and saw the ride was in partnership with the Charity, I
just knew I had to fundraise as well. Thankfully, Mike was
successfully treated, but unfortunately not all men are, which is
why I'm doing my bit to raise what I can. "
Weston-super-Mare MP John Penrose added: "The Great Weston Ride
has proved a roaring success and is a great way for everyone to get
together with their friends and family to have fun and get fit. I'd
like to encourage everyone, no matter what their age or fitness
level, to dust off their bikes and get involved this year and help
raise vital funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity."
Event organiser, Darren McKimm, said: "My idea to develop a
mass-participation ride in the South West was born out of a huge
personal interest in cycling. I've done the London-Brighton ride
and really just wanted to improve on that with a route closer to
home. The Great Weston Ride is an exhilarating route and I would
encourage people to get involved and show their support for the
Charity."
Katie Robbins, Project Manager at The Prostate Cancer Charity,
said: "We are grateful to Mr Penrose MP for helping us to put this
cycling challenge, as well as this disease, on the map. Prostate
cancer kills one man every hour in the UK. By getting on their
bikes in The Great Weston event, people will not only have a great
ride, but will help the Charity to continue its work into research,
campaign and providing the support men and their families need.
Launching the ride this week is particularly timely as it is
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Our thanks go to Darren and the
rest of the team for organising such a great event. "
To sign up for The Great Weston Ride and find out more
information visit http://www.greatwestonride.com/