IT doesn’t seem that long ago since we sponsored the 2017 Cycle4Cynthia but time flies and on Sunday, 23 September it was time once again for the event – this year at the impressive Althorp House (by kind permission of the Earl and Countess Spencer).
Chelton Brown have supported this event as a main sponsor for many years and for the past few years have also provided the medals that are presented on the finish line to all the cyclists as they successfully complete their rides, and this year was no exception.
It all started in 2003 when a Northamptonshire businessman encouraged a group of friends to take part in a cycle ride around the county’s rolling countryside to raise money for the Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Such was its success, Cycle4Cynthia was born.
In 2004, when the hospice launched a £1.5 million appeal, he decided to extend the event beyond simply inviting his friends for a casual bike ride and encouraged families, businesses and cycle enthusiasts to both sponsor and take part in Cycle4Cynthia to help raise funds for the Hospice.
Cyclists had a choice of three routes, five miles, 25 miles and 50 miles encompassing some of the county’s most attractive stately homes including Althorp House, Kelmarsh Hall, Cottesbrooke Hall and Holdenby House. The result was phenomenal, over 460 people took part, raising a staggering £35,000.
As support for the event grew over the following years it was decided to split the money raised between Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice and various other cancer and children’s charities.
In 2015, the ride returned to Althorp, when the hospice became the sole beneficiary, while the following year, 2016, it moved to Holdenby House.
Last year, 2017 Cycle4Cynthia was held at Lamport Hall where approximately 1,100 cyclists took part and it was a really beautiful sunny day and the number of spectators added to the fantastic atmosphere as they cheered on their family and friends.
The following was announced at the 2018 launch event held at Franklin’s Gardens in March:
* 14 years, thousands of pedallers and tens of thousands of miles later, Northamptonshire’s favourite sponsored cycle ride has reached a remarkable fundraising milestone, topping the £500,000 mark!
* The amazing total was revealed at the launch of the fifteenth year of Cycle4Cynthia at Franklin’s Gardens and comes thanks to the £76,000 which was raised by the 1,100 riders who took part in the ride last September in aid of Northampton’s Cynthia Spencer Hospice.
Chelton Brown are proud sponsors of such a worthy cause. For more details of the event visit www.cycle4cynthia.co.uk