Pop-up velodrome Get on your bikes for a worthy cause
CYCLISTS are being invited to put their riding skills to the test in an exciting charity challenge. Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity is staging a mobile velodrome challenge on Cheltenham’s Promenade on Friday, July 12 to raise money for the CT Scanner Appeal.
The pursuit racing challenge is open to teams of four who compete to get the best time travelling around the track.
The charity has teamed up with wealth management company Brewin Dolphin and Street Velodrome to put on the event for the £1.2m appeal to buy new CT scanners and mobile digital X-ray machines for Cheltenham
General and Gloucestershire Royal hospitals.
Head of fundraising Richard Hastilow-smith said: “We are so excited to be staging this brilliant challenge which will not only raise money for the charity but also provide a great day of sporting entertainment for competitors and spectators alike. “We wanted to thank Brewin Dolphin for sponsoring and all the companies supporting this fantastic event which is in aid of our appeal to buy state-of-the-art imaging technology to help save and transform lives in Gloucestershire.” Entry is open for the challenge and you can either pay the full entry free or pay a deposit and pledge to raise sponsorship for the appeal.
Only 16 teams can take part and places are already going fast. Entry closes on June 30.
The event is backed by Gloucestershire Paralympian wheelchair racer Mel Nicholls, who will be taking part in the velodrome challenge.
She said: “This appeal resonates with so many of us.
“I’ve experienced first-hand what early detection of such things as strokes, can mean.
“Imagine that applied to cancer diagnosis, premature babies and other conditions and the lives that can be saved as a result of increased CT scanning availability in our hospitals.”
She continued: “I needed no other reason to get behind this appeal, yet linked with the Velodrome Challenge and cycling, the answer was even more a very determined yes. The velodrome challenge brings people together, bringing a social and fun competitive side to a day of feeling good and doing good.
“I am proud to support the appeal and I am looking forward to seeing the teams on the start line.”
Street velodrome uses an innovative pop-up velodrome with banked corners. Corporate teams of four will compete against the clock to win the title.
Paul Nurden, divisional director and head of office at Brewin Dolphin in Cheltenham, said: “Brewin Dolphin is delighted to be supporting the event and it is great to be putting something back into the community and helping a cause that we know will impact so many people’s lives in Gloucestershire.
“We have entered a team and we cannot wait to take part in what is shaping up to be a great day of friendly competition. We look forward to hearing about all the businesses who have signed up.
“As a company, we promote cycling heavily not only as a means of keeping active but also because of the sense that it takes someone on a journey both mentally and physically.
“It fits with our core value of helping to support clients through their personal financial journeys at whatever stage of life they are at.”
It costs £950 for a team of four for the day including lunch or you can pay a deposit of £250 with a pledge to raise £750 in sponsorship.
Email Karen Organ at karen.organ@ nhs.net for an application pack. gloslivenews@reachplc.com