Three Lincoln students are taking part in a two day ‘Tour De England’ cycling challenge to raise money for charity.
Jack Ojari, Ashley Tunbridge and Phil Dyer plan to cycle – spire to spire – from Saint Pauls’ Cathedral in central London to Lincoln Cathedral.
They plan to cycle the approximately 140 mile trip, to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, on the 26th to the 27th of May 2012. Although the trip might be a few months off, the friends have already started their training, with three mile jogs several times a week, which in turn will turn to cycle rides and become more intense, closer to the big day.
Jack Ojari explained the group’s motivation for the bike ride and the route: “Ash had just recently completed the Great Yorkshire Run and was talking about how he wanted to do more for charity. As we all go to university in Lincoln and all live in the city, we picked the most iconic feature; the cathedral and after choosing a charity based in London, thought that we would incorporate Saint Paul’s Cathedral.”
The guys are planning other events to help raise money and awareness for the main ride, which include a charity auction, a ‘Tour De Lincoln’ (a themed pub crawl around the city), events associated with some of the university’s sports societies and competitions, with local companies donating products to the cause.
They are also updating a blog so friends and people donating can keep up-to-date with their training and obstacles being faced on the run up to the race in May.
In terms of the charity chosen to raise funds for, Ojari says: “We did a lot of research into numerous charities, the key themes that emerged was that we wanted to do something for children or illness related.”
Ojari has been optimistic in his goal for fundraising: “We’ve set the starting total at £5,000 which may be unbelievably optimistic or we may far exceed the total. It’s not only money we want to raise for charity though, it’s also as much awareness as possible for the amazing work that these guys do for children.”
They have so far raised £157 and have nearly 200 people following the event on Facebook. The blog had received over 200 hits in three days and support on Twitter had grown with; “messages of support from celebrities/sports stars, local businesses in the Lincoln area, those in the media and even the MP for Lincoln.”
You can follow the team’s training on the Spire-2-Spire blog or donate on the JustGiving page.