As Christian Aid looks forward to its annual Strangford Sportive (on Saturday 1 October), the charity has called on local residents in the Strangford Lough area to come out and support the hundreds of cyclists taking part in this major event.
The charity notes that there may be some minor traffic disruption on the day, and advises local residents to check the Christian Aid website for details of all the routes.
Whether a beginner or a seasoned pedaller, cyclists are invited to get on their bikes and take to the drumlins of County Down on Saturday 1 October for a cycling challenge, raising funds for Christian Aid. The routes take in towns and villages across South Down including Strangford, Killyleagh, Ardglass, Killough, Lisbane and Whiterock.
Newry Mourne and Down Council’s chairwoman, Gillian Fitzpatrick was keen to praise the organisation of the challenge at the launch of this year’s event. She said: “The Strangford Sportive is growing in popularity year on year, and Christian Aid deserve great credit for its success.
“I would urge people in the local area to get behind the race either through participating or supporting. This is likely to be one of the last organised cycles of the season, so it is a great opportunity to get on your bike, and raise some valuable funds for the amazing work which Christian Aid is doing to tackle poverty around the world – all before the winter sets in.”
The Strangford Sportive, now in its fourth year, is expected to see hundreds of local cyclists set off from Delamont Country Park, Killyleagh to take part in one of three routes offered (120km, 80km or 40km) along marshalled roads around the picturesque drumlins of County Down.
The event will finish back in the park with a free BBQ provided by the Good Little Company. Cyclists who pre-register online (www.christianaid.ie/cycling) for the event will receive a discount voucher for Podium 4 Sport, who will also provide a support vehicle on the day.
Helen Newell, Christian Aid’s Church and Community Officer (and organiser of the event), said: “Christian Aid is excited to welcome cyclists to the Strangford Sportive which has proved so successful over the last few years.
“If you live in the area, please be aware that there will be cyclists out on the roads between 8am and 3pm. It would be great if you could come out and support them as they go by, but if you’re worried about disruption, all of the details of the routes are on the Christian Aid website.
“Through this exciting event we will be raising funds for our development work in poor communities around the world. By getting involved you’ll be supporting women like Morsheda and her children whose home on Bangladesh’s Brahmaputra River has been washed away several times.
“Christian Aid’s partner GUK is helping people there to lift their homes to safety, as well as providing training on issues like how to cope with the changing climate, understanding the rights the community has to the land they live on and child marriage.
“The Strangford Sportive will be a very fun, rewarding day and I would urge anyone with a bike – no matter how basic or high spec– to sign up and take part. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our generous event partners, Good Little Company and Podium 4 Sport, and our volunteers who will be on hand to provide support to cyclists on the day.”
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There is a registration fee for cyclists taking part in the event of £25 per person. All proceeds from the event will help Christian Aid to tackle the root causes of poverty as well as its symptoms, helping local communities to help themselves out of poverty. Christian Aid works with people of all faiths and none.
You can register today for the Strangford Sportive online and find out more at:
For more information contact Helen:
email eventsireland@christian-aid.org
or phone 028 9064 8133.
