Cyclists gear up for Coast to Coast Bike Ride in support of Help the Hospices

12th September 2013

Employees from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks will put in some serious pedal power in support of Help the Hospices by taking part in a spectacular Coast to Coast Bike Ride this month.

Some 28 employees will cycle from Workington to Whitby covering an impressive 172 miles in three days starting today (Thursday 12 September).

The Banks have been working in partnership with Help the Hospices for six years raising more than £2.9million for hospice care so far. Their combined efforts from the Coast to Coast Bike Ride are expected to raise £45,000 for Help the Hospices after the Banks match fund their employees’ fundraising donations.

The challenge encompasses some of the best scenery Britain has to offer. Keen cyclists to complete novices will tackle varying terrain starting from picturesque roads through the Lake District. They will cycle over the stunning Cumbrian Mountains to beautiful open moors of the Northern Pennines before a triumphant finish at historic Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire.

Steve Cram MBE, Olympic running legend and now a BBC sports commentator will be starting the event in his role as Yorkshire Bank’s ambassador. Steve Cram is a former World, European and Commonwealth gold medallist and won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Steve said: “I am delighted to be attending Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks’ Coast to Coast Bike Ride, one of the UK’s fantastic cycling events.

“I wish all the riders freewheeling success as they tackle our glorious and wild countryside to support the vital work of Help the Hospices.”

Maxine Trotter, Director of Fundraising at Help the Hospices, said:“We are immensely grateful to Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks’ employees who are taking part in the Coast to Coast Bike Ride.

“This is a physically challenging but exciting fundraising event for Help the Hospices with the generous donations that will be raised.

“We look forward to cheering on the bikers as they cycle the breadth of Britain for hospice care.”