450 miles, 20 cyclists and one iconic venue – the scene is set against a dramatic thundery skyline for the start of the final Toon to Town challenge!
The Toon to Town Challenge was the brainchild of Giles Evans. In 2010 Giles decided to organise a charity ride from Newcastle, or ‘Toon’ to Llanelli, his hometown. This morning, Monday the 6th of July, 2015, a group of 20 cyclists set off from Parc y Scarlets on Toon To Town’s final journey.
The solo maiden ride was planned after Giles lost a good family friend to cancer. The 420 miles were completed over a 5-day period raising money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
During the same year Tim Mayland had completed a 350-mile charity cycle ride through France in aid of Help for Heroes, called the Big Battlefield Bike Ride.
Both Giles and Tim swapped tales and formulated a plan for 2011. This saw a change of route and a total of 5 riders completed the challenge. Each challenge ended at Parc y Scarlets with funds raised for the Ray Gravell & Friends Charitable Trust.
The challenges developed, getting increasingly more difficult, and the group expanded through the interest generated by the previous rides.
More than £82,000 has been raised for charity since the maiden ride back in 2010 and the group hope to reach the final target of £100,000 to help support great causes.
This week’s 450-mile route will take the riders from Llanelli to Hereford on the first day. Day two will be from Hereford to Nottingham. Nottingham to York will be on day three. Day four is York to Scotch Corner with a visit to the Help For Heroes Phoenix House in Catterick. The final day takes the riders from Scotch Corner to Bedlington.
The group’s focus is to raise funds for their two nominated charities for 2015, The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Help For Heroes. In addition to this, Matthew Williams will be raising money for the Stroke Association, Nick Doughty is supporting the Pituitary Foundation and Steve Holt is riding to raise funds for the Alzheimers Society.
For more information and to follow Toon to Town’s progress visit the website http://www.toontotown.co.uk
If you would like to donate to help the group on the road to £100,000 click here
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