CHARITY BIKE RIDE THROUGH WENSLEYDALE RAISES £17,000
Sponsored by Black Sheep Brewery, this famous charity bike ride takes in the villages and pubs of Wensleydale and has developed into one of the main fund-raising events for the area.
Around 200 brave volunteers from local pubs, hotels and breweries, including a large team from Black Sheep Brewery, cycled the 20-mile route from Leyburn to Hawes. Cyclists, many in fancy dress, were shown good old Yorkshire hospitality by the pubs en-route, which generously provided food and refreshment, as well as an opportunity to rest tired legs!
Each year the bike ride raises more and more for local charities and has raised an amazing £165,000 over the last 20 years! The aim for 2006 was to raise £15,000, so Avril Douglas, event organiser, was overjoyed when riders collected over £16,800 which was kindly increased to £17,000 by The Black Sheep Brewery.
Organisers, sponsors and publicans gathered at The Fountain Hotel, Hawes on Monday 29th January for the official presentation night. Where the £17,000 raised was donated to 52 various local charities and organisations throughout Wensleydale, Swaledale and beyond including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance; Great North Air Ambulance; Friarage Hospital at Northallerton; Doctors’ surgeries at Hawes, Aysgarth, Leyburn and Reeth; local sports and social clubs; Bainbridge Ambulance Station; local schools, youth clubs, playgroups and nurseries plus many more.
