Around the UK in 14 days for charity by pedal power

AN employee of local children's charity Barnstondale is taking his job to another level to raise funds for the Centre, by cycling from John o' Groats to Land's End. Simon Binns and his three friends will be setting off on Saturday, 30 May 2015 and hope to pedal up to 1,000 miles, across the length and breadth of the country, in just 14 days. While Simon will be fundraising for Barnstondale, the others will also be supporting their own local charities.

The John o' Groats to Land's End route runs the whole length of Mainland UK. It is a popular challenge for many cyclists and is often used to raise money for charity. Starting at the tip of Scotland, the group will pass through some of Britain's most iconic landmarks and scenic countryside, to reach the Pewith Peninsula in Cornwall. The Lake District, Inverness and the Severn Bridge will all be along the route, with local points of interest including Runcorn and Chester. In recent times the route has been used as a rite of passage by cyclists taking on the most iconic and toughest cycling challenge in Britain. Team GB rower and Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell and former England Rugby captain Lewis Moody have both completed this route for their chosen charities in the past.

Commented Simon Binns, employee at Barnstondale:- "Completing this cycle challenge was always on my bucket list. Now in my 50th birthday year, I feel this is a good time to finally turn my dream into reality. Despite minimal experience and some uncharacteristic physiques not typically suited to cycling, my friends and I have been working hard over the last few months to train and get prepared for the ride. We're in no doubt that this will be a gruelling task, but we're excited to take to the roads and explore Britain in all of its glory."

Barnstondale Centre is an overnight getaway destination and activity centre situated in the village of Barnston, Wirral. It serves many purposes and caters to the needs of people of all abilities. Its facilities include 3 large log cabins (used for accommodation), a sports hall, conference room, climbing and abseiling wall, rifle shooting and archery range, outdoor multi-usage games area and over 12 acres of woodland.

Also taking part in the challenge are Dr Ian Woods, a GP based at Long Lane Medical Centre in Aintree, Alastair Sunderland, a retired local architect, and self employed painter and decorator Gary Tull or 'Tully the Brush'. Dr Woods has also chosen to raise funds for a cause closely related to his career; Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, 1 of the largest, networked cancer centres in the country, operating from nine sites across Merseyside and Cheshire. Alastair is supporting a local church's youth group on their annual trip, where they will be helping out at an African school.

Commented Heidi Hughes, Barnstondale's Business Director:- "As well as fundraising to pay for maintenance and improvement work, Barnstondale also earmarks some of its money to pay for children who visit with larger groups and whose parents are unable to afford the cost of their trip, so that they don't miss out. As a charity focused on supporting the development of young people, especially those from socially deprived areas or challenging backgrounds, this is important to us. Simon's fundraising will help enable this to happen. He is going above and beyond the call of duty and we're very grateful for his support."

To sponsor Simon, click on here. For more information about Barnstondale visit:- Barnstondale.Org or call Heidi Hughes, Business Director at Barnstondale on:- 0151 648 1412.

CLA appoints new adviser in the North New CLA North Rural Adviser Libby Bateman

THE CLA has strengthened its team in the North of England with the appointment of a new rural adviser. Libby Bateman joins the CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, having previously worked as the constituency officer for Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart. Prior to her parliamentary role, she was the project officer responsible for delivering the Upper Eden Community Plan for 17 rural parishes in Cumbria.  In her new job, Libby will provide advice and support to the CLA's 6,500 members across the North of the country (England). CLA North Regional Director Dorothy Fairburn said:- "I am delighted to welcome Libby onto the team. She has extensive experience in a range of rural and landowning issues and will be a great asset to our members."  Libby lives near Kirkby Stephen and is married with a 9 year old daughter. In her spare time she enjoys carriage driving, horse riding and listening to music. She is also a champion of rural broadband and recently led a ground breaking project to deliver a superfast connection to 58 premises in her parish.  Libby said:- "I have first hand experience of the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities and I am very much looking forward to meeting and working with the CLA’s diverse range of members in the region."