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Get in to gear for Cycle Relief 2008
Jun 10 2008 Submitted by Salma Hamid
CYCLISTS are being invited to saddle up for Cycle Relief 2008 in Birmingham.
It takes place on June 22, starting and finishing at Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham.
The charity event initially came from an idea by Moseley resident Rashid Hamid in 2004, who persuaded his wife Salma and three of his work colleagues to form a voluntary organisation called “Cycle Relief”.
The team has four aims: to raise awareness of humanitarian causes; to promote good health and healthy living; to help community relations and to have fun!
Cycle Relief, unique to Birmingham, has already successfully held three events in 2005, 2006 and 2007 during the August bank holiday weekends.
The events have raised over £25,000 for water related projects. The majority of this money has been raised through sponsorship money collected by the participants.
One such project funded by Cycle Relief has already been completed in some of the most deprived villages in Mali in Africa.
It delivered fifteen water wells and sixteen latrines which helped 1630 village habitants directly and benefited hundreds more from neighbouring villages indirectly.
Previously, all these people had no access to clean water. There is more information on the website.
As participants arrive at the park they are able to have their bicycles checked over by the sponsors of Cycle Relief 2008 – Bike Pro Birmingham’s largest independent bike shop, which is based in Kings Heath.
Bike Pro have been vital to the whole process of Cycle Relief 2008, from promotion and advertising, to advice and information regarding the cycle route used in the event.
There are two routes that cyclists can choose from. One is 15 miles long going through two other parks in the city and is for adults and confident child cyclists.
The other, more challenging route, is 25 miles long and designed for experienced cyclists with mountain or hybrid bikes - it cuts through the forest trail terrain of the Lickey Hills before returning to Cannon Hill Park.
Cycle Relief is an event which is suitable for all the family and individuals who are supporting the cyclists.
A variety of children’s entertainment, food and stalls are available on the day, at
Cycle Relief encourages riders of all abilities. The youngest rider to complete the standard route was only seven, and some of the participants completed the gruelling twenty five mile challenge route in well under two hours.
A core principle of Cycle Relief is also to encourage men and women, boys and girls from all races and religions to take part in the event and share the amazing experience.
The Cycle Relief team is passionate in wanting people from all backgrounds to work as a community, for the sake of those less fortunate in the world’s poorest countries.
Cycle Relief 2008 will be held during the National Bike Week, as Birmingham City Council also introduces their initiative ‘Bike Birmingham’ – A Cycling Strategy – this year.
For more details go to www.cyclerelief.com or ring 0121 622 0622.
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