In 2003 Northamptonshire businessman John Pinkham encouraged a group of friends to take part in a cycle ride around Northamptonshire's rolling countryside to raise money for Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Such was its success, that Cycle 4 Cynthia was born.
In 2004 when the Hospice launched a £1.5 million appeal John decided to extend the event beyond just inviting his friends for a casual bike ride, by encouraging families, businesses and cycle enthusiasts to both sponsor and take part in Cycle 4 Cynthia to help raise funds for the Hospice.
Cyclists had a choice of three routes, 5 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.
Spurred on by the enthusiasm of everyone involved, the event was rescheduled for the first Sunday in October for 2005, this time raising much needed funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Some fine tuning of the route took place, and the result was a terrific effort with approximately 200 taking part, boosting charitable funds by at least £16,000.
Keen to grow the event even more huge efforts and lots of hard work went into planning Cycle 4 Cynthia 2006. The outcome was phenomenal. The level of participants more than doubled from the previous year, with almost 400 people turning up to take part in the event.
Last year Cycle4Cynthia raised a record £35,000 for the two charities and more than 450 people took part. This year organisers expect the new venue and support from the Saints to attract hundreds more cyclists and are aiming to raise more than last year through entry fees and sponsorship.
Join us on Sunday, October 12 at the home of the Saints - Franklin's Gardens.
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Business Partners:
Northampton Saints Rugby Football Club
Northants Newspapers - Chronicle & Echo
John Pinkham
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