Get in gear for Clumber Park charity Bikeathon

Thanks to volunteers from across the county volunteering as marshals and providing essential services, the organisation is relaunching its Bikeathon event at Clumber Park after an absence of three years.

Around 200 riders will set off on either a nine-mile or 19-mile course to raise money to beat cancers.

Among those backing the event as riders or helping out marshals are the Hogan family, whose son, Joe, contracted the disease aged just two but is now a bubbly six-year-old after successful treatment.

“The Bikeathon is not a race, but a chance to cycle through the park and visit parts you might not normally,” said David Shelton, chairman of the Nottingham and Notts branch of the charity.

“Thanks to fund-raising events like this, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research has made real strides in changing the prognosis for blood cancers patients from one of almost certain death as it was 50 years ago.

“We hope that this year will re-establish the Bikeathon as a regular fixture in the local fund-raising calendar. Supporting LLR in this way really does save lives.”

Early bird entry can be obtained on line at www.beatingbloodcancersorg.uk/event/cycling/clumber-park-bikeathon-2014 at £38 for a family entry, £15 for adults, £8 for young riders and free for fives and under.

You can also pay on the day when it’s £45 for family entry, £20 for adults and £8 for children.

Start time is 10am, but riders are advised to get there before 9.30am to prepare.