Charity to bring back cycle ride

THE organisers behind one of south Wales’ best-loved charity events want to resurrect the event after a two-year break.

For more than 30 years, the Barnardo’s On Your Bike ride through Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan helped raise over £500,000 for the children’s charity.

And now the people who run it want to bring the event back – but need to secure funding to realise their ambitions.

It was Barnardo’s Cymru’s longestrunning event and nearly 30,000 entrants have taken part on the 38-mile route since it first started in 1982.

It’s now hoping for a comeback with cyclists riding through the Vale of Glamorgan countryside – starting in Cardiff, making their way through Wick, St Brides Major, and Barry before heading back to where they started.

The charity’s events manager Rachel Madge said: “It’s a well-established and well-loved event to raise vital funds for Barnardo’s Cymru to support some of the most vulnerable, the most neglected and the most at-risk children and young people across Wales and the UK.

“It’s a regular part of people’s spring calendar.”

Rachel said people were disappointed when the event took a 24-month break but that it was unavoidable because of a bridge being replaced on the route.

She added: “We’re looking forward to coming back with a vengeance. Old and new participants will receive a warm welcome.

“It is not a race and participants don’t have to be super-fit.

“They can just pedal along at their own pace.

“Some people come on their own and others get a team of friends, family and colleagues together.”

The event became more of a cycle race in recent years but Barnardo’s wants to turn it back into the fundraiser it once was.

Entrants will be encouraged to raise a minimum amount of sponsorship and the charity hopes to raise £16,000 in total.

All entrants must be over 12 years of age by the event day and those between 12 and 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian on the ride.

Rachel said: “We are now looking for financial support to give the sponsor branding and promotion opportunities.

“Money raised will be put to good use at local Barnardo’s projects.

“In Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan we support children and young

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people and families from a variety of backgrounds who have experienced a range of challenges and difficulties which have resulted in them being particularly vulnerable and in needing support to achieve better outcomes.

“These include young parents, families with children diagnosed with autism and ADHD, children struggling in school and with their emotional health and wellbeing and young people with housing support needs.”

If you can help or need more information, email rachel.madge@ barnardos.org.uk