Charity bike rides are a great way to explore new areas, meet new people, keep fit and raise money for worthy causes and nowadays there are many bikes rides to choose from. For over 25 years the Swindon Macmillan Castles Bike Ride has been an event that many local mountain bikers have looked forward to.
The event is supported by local firms such as Arkells Brewery, The Three Trees Farm Shop, Glamo Rose Cakes and Hospitality Services . The main event sponsor is Mitchells Cycles who underwrite some of the event costs and donate a Mountain Bike to the rider who raises the most amount of sponsorship.
Several riders including Pete Ratcliffe and Hugo Chapman took part in the event in June this year and raised lots of to help Macmillan Cancer Support carry on its work whilst teenager Jamie Kerry continued his efforts from last year and raised £145.
Janice and Andy Mitchell presented a mountain bike to Louis Fuentes Montero from the Groundwell Road area of Swindon who raised the most, £420, no mean feat nowadays.
After the presentation, bike winner Luis was asked why he had entered the event. He replied that as well enjoying cycling he was pleased to support Macmillan because he, himself is a cancer patient and has had support from Macmillan. Although he was a supporter of Macmillan before his own diagnosis as he believed that it is important to support those people living with a cancer diagnosis. This year despite still recovering from chemotherapy he rode the middle distance course of around 20 miles. His sponsorship came mainly from friends and family, some of whom are in Mexico and from many generous colleagues who work with him at the laboratory at Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire
Ride Organiser, Lew Lawton, explained that events such as the Castles Bike Ride are important sources of income to Macmillan where over 1,100 people each year are diagnosed with cancer, many of whom are supported by 7 Macmillan staff in the area. In a typical year Macmillan will pay out over £25,000 in grants to Swindon people living with cancer.
Regular rider Dene Zaleski commented that he had had a fabulous ride and thanked the team of volunteer officials and marshals who deliver the best off road charity ride both sides of the M4
The 2024 event is scheduled for Sunday 2nd June.
The organising team is looking to recruit a few more volunteers to assist. For more information on how you can help please CONTACT US to volunteer.
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