British Heart Foundation Event
By Brad Davies
August 9th 2016
Bike ride organisers feeling upbeat ahead of British Heart Foundation Event
The 11th annual Heart of England Bike Ride will be taking place on Sunday 17 July and organisers have announced an advanced registration for the hundreds of riders set to take part. Organised by the Knowle and Dorridge Lions Clubs, the ride starts at National Trust property Packwood House and gives riders the chance of a 12, 18, 30 or 60 mile route through Solihull and Warwickshire countryside.
This year’s event will raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Mending Broken Hearts Appeal and local causes. In addition to raising funds for charity, the Lions Clubs say that it’s a great way to get fit whilst enjoying the countryside air.
Paul Wheatley, organiser Knowle and Dorridge Lions Club said: “This ride seems to be going from strength to strength with over 700 participants last year. We received great feedback from entrants who enjoyed the lovely atmosphere, getting fit, completing a challenge and raising money for such a worthy cause, all at the same time.
It is a great opportunity to spend a Sunday with friends, family or colleagues cycling through the glorious Warwickshire countryside and villages. After the bike ride, food will be available to purchase from the Lions BBQ and there is free entry to Packwood House and gardens. It’s a great day out for everyone!”
This year’s event is, again, being supported by Birmingham-based Hollywood Monster, who will provide marketing signage in the lead up to the event as well as directional signage on the day. Solihull resident and Managing Director of the printing and signage company, Tim Andrews, said:
“It’s an honour to be supporting the Heart of England Bike Ride for another year – this is our fifth year of being involved and we have seen it grow from strength to strength. It’s a fantastic initiative to help get people fit, whilst also enjoying their beautiful surroundings. The event, of course, is also about helping to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and in the five years we’ve been involved, we’ve seen over £50,000 go to the very worthy cause. Whatever their level of fitness, that’s the beauty of having four distance options… I hope everyone gets on their bike on 17 July!”
Starting between 9.30am and 11.30am at the stunning Packwood House, cyclists will have a choice of approximately 12, 18 or 30 mile circular routes (20km, 30km or 50km) along country lanes in Solihull and Warwickshire. They can also take on the ultimate challenge and cycle 60 miles (100km) by completing all three routes.
Discounted online advance entry is £10 for adults, children 8 years and over £5, under 8 year olds are free. After 10 July an entry fee of £15.00 adult and £7.50 children 8 years old and over applies. The entry fee covers the costs of promoting and organising the event safely and it is the sponsorship money that really makes a difference. Funds raised will go towards the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal, which hopes to raise enough money to fund the ground-breaking research that could help the heart to ‘heal itself’ and prevent thousands of people developing heart failure.
You can register online via www.knowleanddorridgelions.com/bikeride and link through to the BHF website or call them on 0121 661 5100 for a registration form.
