Newry Junior Chamber to Trade Sweat for Smiles in North Pole Cycling Challenge
Newry Junior Chamber (NJC) members are organising an indoor cycling challenge this Christmas to raise money for charitable causes. The challenge will see members and local business representatives aim to cover the 2,478 miles, the very distance from Newry to the North Pole over the course of two days on spin bikes.
Funds raised from entry fees and donations will be donated to Newry-based charity, Space NI and NJC’s own annual Christmas Secret Santa Appeal.
Space NI provide family support services throughout the South Down area in times of difficulty or crisis. Our own Secret Santa Appeal initiative was launched to tackle the financial challenges that Christmas creates for many vulnerable families, and is now in its twelfth year.
Denise Cowan of the Newry Chamber said: “Working with local charities and aid organisations, we aim to ensure that all local children can experience the joy of having gifts to open at Christmas. By participating in this challenge your sweat will result in smiles in many homes over the festive period!
“This intense indoor spin cycling challenge will take place in the public areas of The Quays Shopping Centre on Saturday and Sunday 9-10th December.
“To cycle the distance it is estimated that 112 enthusiastic (or otherwise coerced!) participants are necessary to make up 28 teams of 4 cyclists. The cost to enter is £100 per team. Each team will be tasked with covering a target of 88.5 miles between them over a one hour time slot and will compete against another participating team to see who can cover the most ground during that time.
“Each team will receive a certificate upon completion and prizes will be awarded to the teams who cover the most miles (to be announced on our Facebook page after the event).
“Teams can be mixed gender and participants must be aged 18 or over. We would also ask you to ensure that all participants have a reasonable level of fitness to avoid any injuries and to ensure the health and wellbeing of all participants. We welcome teams from local companies, gyms, sports teams, as well as teams of friends and family members who are up for the challenge!”
denise added: “Your opponents will be chosen at random, or alternatively you can request to take on another participating team. We will do our best to accommodate you, provided your preferred day and time slots will allow it. You can also opt to have more than one time slot.
“Eight spin bikes will be operating in The Quays shopping centre from 09:00am – 18:00pm on Saturday 9th and from 13:00 – 18:00pm on Sunday 10th December. Participating teams will be supported by cheerleaders and bucket collectors from Newry Junior Chamber for moral support. If getting on a spin bike is not for you, this won’t prevent you from getting involved. We’d welcome volunteers to assist with collecting donations throughout the shopping centre on both days. If you could spare even one hour of your time to help with this, it would be greatly appreciated.
“We would like to thank our event sponsors, PRO PT Gym in Warrenpoint, without whose support this challenge would not be possible. Declan Trainor from PRO PT Gym has kindly agreed to lend us their spin bikes for the event. No doubt this will be a fun and exciting couple of days!”
Contact garethtinnelly@tinnelly.com to request a copy of the team entry form. These should be completed and emailed/returned to Gareth by Friday 24th November, along with the entry fee.
Will you help us to reach the North Pole and support these worthy local causes?
