Event: 16 June 2013
Location: Stainbeck Police Station, Leeds, West Yorkshire
When it comes to taking part in charity cycle rides, West Yorkshire police officers will be hard to beat.
Dozens of officers – joined by members of the public - are set to hop into the saddle this summer to raise funds for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
They will be using their combined force to complete the Round the Beat Cycle Sportive – a 100K tour around the boundary of the North East Leeds Police Division.
"Round the Beat Cycle Sportive is a challenging route through some fantastic scenery, I am very proud to be raising money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and The Jane Tomlinson Appeal, without whose support this event would not be possible. My colleagues and I look forward to providing both novice and experienced cyclists with a really good ride and a great day out."
Sgt Holden, West Yorkshire Police
Up to 300 people are expected to take part in the event on Sunday 16th June, which is backed by British Cycling.
They will be joined by Mike Tomlinson, the husband of Jane Tomlinson who made headlines across the world by completing a series of epic endeavours – including a 4,200 mile cycle ride across America - despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer.
Entrants will be encouraged to raise sponsorship which will be split between the Jane Tomlinson Appeal and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the latter as a tribute to late West Yorkshire Police colleague, PC Tony Sweeney who died in December last year.
This year’s event, which sets off from Stainbeck Police Station in Leeds, follows a successful debut last year in which almost 60 people took part.
The Round the Beat Cycling Sportive was the brainchild of Police sergeant Dave Holden, with help from his fellow North East Leeds colleagues Sgt Mark Atkin and Sgt Darren Beech.
Sgt Holden said: “the Round the Beat Cycle Sportive is a challenging route through some fantastic scenery, I am very proud to be raising money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and The Jane Tomlinson Appeal, without whose support this event would not be possible. My colleagues and I look forward to providing both novice and experienced cyclists with a really good ride and a great day out."
Mike Tomlinson, Jane Tomlinson Appeal trustee said: “We are thrilled that the Police have chosen the Appeal to benefit from this great event. I’d love to say I’m looking forward to it but going on past experience and the little amount of training I’m likely to do I know it will probably hurt. But the pain will all be worth it for the money we’ll raise for local charity.’
Entry for the event ranges from £10 to £20. Register today here.
