What started out as a parent's idea for a bike ride to raise money for Redmile CE Primary School has now grown into one of the UK's largest off-road amateur cycling events, attracting more than 1,000 cyclists and raising £30,000 for the school and it
s charity partner last year.
Riders can choose between a 30km and 50km route through the Vale of Belvoir, following the old Viking Way, with plenty of refuelling stops along the way.
Raising funds for the school and The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, pupils are hoping the 2008 event will help them equip their new school hall, for which the building work has just started.
Julie Hopkins, headteacher, said: "This year, with our new school hall being built, we are even more excited than usual, hoping the event will be our biggest yet helping to buy essential sport and gym equipment. To hit the £250,000 target as well would be a fantastic achievement and something we would be very proud of."
There are prizes on offer for those raising the most sponsorship plus T-shirts for all riders raising £50 or more.
Entry is £15 before Friday, September 12 and £20 thereafter. Further information, plus entry and sponsorship forms are available from www.vikingchallenge.org.uk
The full article contains 275 words and appears in Melton Times newspaper.
