SPORTING STARS RIDE TRIUMPHANTLY TO CHARITY FUNDRAISER FINISH LINE ON TEAM CARBON BIKES
Completing the final UK stage of the PruProtect sponsored Chance to Ride charity bike ride, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan led celebrity fundraisers on their Team Carbon Bikes (TCB) to their final destination at the Kia Oval on Tuesday morning.
Sporting fundraisers included British tennis legend Tim Henman, ex-Liverpool FC and England footballer Jamie Redknapp, former England cricket Andrew Strauss and former Hampshire cricket captain and TV pundit and Chance to Shine charity co-founder Mark Nicholas.
All four riders were delighted with their TCB bikes as they finished the 12 day, 450 mile bike ride which started on Saturday 7th September. Tim Henman's bike, coloured in traditional Wimbledon green and purple, will be put up for auction on Wednesday, alongside Redknapp’s red bicycle representing his former club, Liverpool.
Tim Henman commented: “The bike was fantastic, I have never ridden a proper bike like that and I couldn’t believe how light it was, how easy it was. I dread to think what would have happened if I had of been on a normal bike.”
Jamie Redknapp said of the bike: “It was a great bike, really nice. I’ve never really done this type of cycling before, the cycling was tough. Once you get used to it its lovely.”
Mark Nicholas added: “The bike was remarkable, the lightness of the bike, the flexibility. You feel weightless in a way, it’s like your manoeuvring something that’s a part of you. Our ride was 90 miles. After 25 miles you got the feeling you were as one, which you never get [with a normal bike]. It’s the lightness, the manoeuvrability which I found very impressive.”
The money raised by both the cycle and the auction will be divided and donated to two sporting charities, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and Chance to Shine. Both charities encourage young people to take up sport to encourage positive social change.
Leading cricket charity Chance to Shine is bringing cricket back to hundreds of schools throughout England and Wales. Thanks to supporters who donate vital funds to Chance to Shine every year, the charity has now linked 1,000 cricket clubs and their coaches to 6,500 primary and secondary state schools. As a result, children in these schools are playing competitive cricket again and learning key life skills.
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation uses sport as the means to combat some of the world’s toughest social challenges facing young people today such as juvenile crime, gangs, gun and knife violence, HIV/AIDS, discrimination, social exclusion, landmines awareness and health problems like obesity. Since its inception, Laureus has raised over €60 million to support its work around the world.
For more photos of the PruProtect Chance to Ride Finale please visit the Henman Communications Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.632486613463058.1073741841.345458982165824&type=1
