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Circle of Hope in the Fight
Against Cancer
ACTOR Simon O'Brien is calling on
residents in Southport to get on their bikes and lead the fight against cancer,
as he helps to launch a seventh annual charity cycling challenge in partnership
with Liverpool FC's Community Foundation – The Circle of Hope.
The event which takes its name from the village of Hope near Wrexham – will take
place on Sunday May 3 and will raise funds for North West Cancer Research (NWCR)
a leading charity investing in cancer research.
This year organisers have announced the addition of 10mile course, which will
allow more cyclists to take part. Riders can also choose from either a 50mile or
100mile route, both of which start and finish at Hope Parish Hall in Wrexham.
The routes take cyclists through Flintshire, Denbigshire, Cheshire and Wrexham.
Particular highlights for riders include the highest point of the route, World's
End at Eglwyseg Mountain, where they will feel as though they are on top of the
world, before making their way down the narrow road through the spectacular
moorland plateau high above Llangollen and the Horse Shoe Pass.
Simon O'Brien who is based in the North West, helped NWCR launch the event this
week, showing his support for the work which the charity is doing in the
Liverpool region, to help improve our understanding of cancer and how better to
detect, treat and prevent it. He said:- "There are two reasons I got
involved with this event. Firstly because North West Cancer Research needs
everyone's support and secondly because I love cycling. The 3 routes are great
and the 10 mile route, even if you have never been cycling before in your life I
promise you, you will be able to do it. As for the 50 and 100 mile routes, I'll
probably be doing the 50 mile myself. I know the routes really well and the
areas they cover are absolutely astounding which will make for a great day out.
There is nothing better than helping out a good cause, while enjoying a communal
bike ride."
Since its inception in 2006, The Circle of Hope has attracted hundreds of riders
who have helped to raise over £60,000 to fund cancer research projects at the
University of Liverpool, as well as at Lancaster University and the University
of Bangor.
Over 70 people have signed up to the Circle of Hope so far and organiser and
NWCR Trustee, Mike Georgeson is hoping to encourage around 300 people from the
North West an all over the UK to get on their bikes and raise as much money as
possible for cancer research.
49 year old Mike has previously cycled both the 100mile and 50mile routes in
2011 and 2012, raising over £3,000 as a result. He first became involved in the
event after his wife Sally was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and saw the
Circle of Hope as the perfect way for him to raise funds and combine his love of
cycling.
Mike said:- "Having taken part in previous years, I can confidently say
that this is a fun and rewarding way for people to offer their support to NWCR –
a charity which is working to fund cancer research in Liverpool.
People of all ages and cycling abilities can get involved, as there is a choice
of routes, which can be completed in your own time. It's not about being the
fastest cyclist or biggest fundraiser; it's about the taking part and raising
money for a cause which has touched so many people in the area.
Research is vital to our understanding of cancer, how to detect it, how to treat
it and how to prevent it. But this cannot be done without significant funding
from charities such as NWCR, which is why every penny we raise is so important.
Over the past seven years the Circle of Hope has raised more than £60,000 which
has gone on to fund research and we are hoping that this year we can add to this
figure and would like to see as many people as possible from all over the North
West sign up to the challenge and do their bit."
Registration for all 3 courses are now open, with a fee of £10 for the 10 mile
course and £20 for the 50 or 100 mile courses and participants are encouraged to
pledge a minimum sponsorship of £50.
For more information visit:-
CircleOfHope.Co.UK.
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