The C4C battle of the bikes has begun!
The annual bike ride, now in its ninth year, is a major fundraiser for The Friends of Cynthia Spencer and Macmillan Cancer Support in the county and last year over 900 riders helped raise a record-breaking total of £47k in sponsorship.Among the firms who are pledging to enter is Robert Wiseman Dairies, which has a depot at Raunds near Wellingborough. Last year the company generously donated gallons of their milk to quench the thirst of the returning cyclists, but as Sales Manager Sam Eccles explains, this year they hope it will be their team who’ll be swapping the white stuff for the bubbly; “As part of our Wiseman in the Community programme, we’re really keen to offer our support again to this fantastic event! This is such a great incentive, I hope we won’t have any difficulty in recruiting plenty of riders!”
Meanwhile Brackmills-based British Pepper & Spice will also be vying to take the prestigious prize which was offered by The Earl Spencer at the launch of C4C 2012 following the event’s successful move to his home in 2011. “We’ve taken part in the ride for the last three years,” explains the firm’s team captain Fran Hunt, “and of course we’d love to be attending a drinks reception at Althorp! But,” she added “our real reason for trying to enter such a large team is to say a massive thank you to the staff at the hospice and at Macmillan who, as everyone at BPS is well aware, give such wonderful care and support when needed most.”
Those are just two challengers for the prize going up against Northampton building services firm Briggs and Forrester who have already vowed to expand on their team of 74 which took part last year. It’s that healthy corporate competition that is music to the ears of Sue Bownass from The Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice; “There are so many reasons to leap into the saddle this year,” said Sue, “whether it’s to delight in the beautiful setting of Althorp, enjoy a personal challenge or to raise money for our two great causes. And now with this unique prize up for grabs, we hope that lots of local businesses will get as many staff and supporters involved as possible!”
Cycle 4 Cynthia 2012 will take place at Althorp on Sunday 23rd September. For more details on how to enter a team from your business and the chance to win a free drinks reception at Althorp, or to pledge sponsorship, please visit www.cycle4cynthia.com or email annamurby@hotmail.com.