Southport cyclists wanted to help stop cancer in its tracks with 300 mile charity challenge

LEADING local charity North West Cancer Research is challenging thrill seekers from Southport to cycle almost 300 miles in the fundraising adventure of a lifetime. Cycle of Hope will mark the charity's 70th Anniversary and see fundraisers cycle 70 miles a day over 4 days to raise money for life saving cancer research in Merseyside and the North West.

Taking place between 11 July to 14 July 2018, the challenge starts at Lancaster University where North West Cancer Research funds innovative research. Challengers will then stop in Liverpool, and then Bangor where the charity also operates, before crossing the finish line in Ireland's historic capital City, Dublin on 14 July 2018.

The peloton of fundraisers will meander through the North West, Wales and Ireland, cycling through iconic Cities, picturesque countryside and going 'off road' to cross the Mersey and the Irish Sea.

Money raised by the riders will be donated to North West Cancer Research which is currently investing in cancer research projects worth ₤7.7million at the University of Liverpool. This includes ₤1million worth of funding to sustain world class research at the North West Cancer Research Centre at the University of Liverpool till 2020, as part of its commitment to fund research which will help tackle rising cancer rates in the region.

Alastair Richards, CEO of North West Cancer Research, said:- "What better way to mark our 70th Anniversary than a 70 mile a day cycling adventure across the UK and Ireland. This unique event will be both challenging and rewarding, raising invaluable funds to help fight against cancer. Cancer is 1 of the biggest killers in Merseyside and cancer rates in the region are continuing to rise, which is why over the last 70 years we have committed to funding the best quality research in the North West."

The charity will offer participants continued support with training and fundraising, helping cycling newcomers and enthusiasts alike prepare in the countdown to 11 July.

Alastair added:- "We rely solely on public donations and without the help of our supporters we would not be able to continue to support the lifesaving research which is being carried out on our doorstep today. We look forward to seeing our fundraisers from Liverpool take their positions on the start line in July for this unique 300 mile challenge."

Online Registration for Cycle of Hope is now open.

PASSENGERS travelling to, from and within the Liverpool City Region are being urged to plan their journeys and check before they travel ahead of planned industrial action by members of the RMT union on Merseyrail and Northern Rail services, on Saturday, 3 March 2018.

Merseyrail services are planned to run every 30 minutes, with the exception of the New Brighton to Liverpool service which will be every hour, from around 07:00 to 19:00, with a break in service between approximately 11:30 and 13:30.

There will be no services on the following lines:- Hunts Cross - Liverpool Central; Ellesmere Port - Hooton; Chester - Hooton, Kirkby - Liverpool Central and Ormskirk - Maghull.

Merseyrail tickets will be accepted on Arriva bus services. Passengers are strongly advised to check the Merseyrail website and Twitter @Merseyrail before travelling, as it is possible that timetables will change prior to, as well as during, strike action.

Northern rail will be running a reduced service, some stations will have no service and all services will finish early. Full details will be available on the Northern rail website from Monday, 26 February 2018.

Mersey Ferries are due to run as planned. Unfortunately, cross river rail tickets will not be accepted on this date.

Key advice for everyone in the City Region needing to travel on this date is:-

► Plan ahead and consider your alternative travel options. You can use the Merseytravel journey planner.

► Check timetables and leave more time for your journey.

► Don't aim for the last bus or train home as services are likely to be very busy.

► Stick to public transport wherever possible to reduce congestion on key routes in and out of the City Centre, including the Mersey Tunnels.

► Fans of Liverpool and Newcastle football clubs will still be able to get to and from Anfield Stadium; there will be extra capacity on the 917 Stagecoach match day service to and from Liverpool City Centre and other bus services are due to run as planned. There will be no SoccerBus from Sandhills as Merseyrail services will not stop at Sandhills Station.

Said Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail:-   "Once again we would like to apologise to our passengers for having to endure yet another day of industrial action, now the sixteenth strike on the Merseyrail network since this dispute began. We are running as many services as possible on March 3rd to keep the City Region moving and we will do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum for our passengers."

Frank Rogers, Chief Executive of Merseytravel said:- "The Liverpool City Region remains open for business as it has done during previous strike days. Working with partners, we will make sure passengers travelling within the region and visiting from further afield will still be able to get to where they need to go. We thank our customers for their patience and ask them to leave plenty of time for their journeys as services will be busier."

For up to the minute service information, visit:-

► Arriva on Twitter.
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► Stagecoach on Twitter.
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► Merseyrail on Twitter.
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► Mersey Ferries on Twitter​.

► Northern on Twitter.