150 for the 150th

From June 10th -12th Brian and Simon will be struggling to cycle 150 miles along the Leeds - Liverpool canal to raise money for two causes important to our community: POPI (Pass on Pre-Loved Items) and St Thomas’s Church, Sutton-in-Craven.

* Why 150 Miles? 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of St Thomas’s church.

* Why the Leeds-Liverpool Canal? In 1869 the canal would have been an important route for the supply of building materials in the construction of the church.

The first 75 miles cycled from Sutton, via Kildwick to Parbold, will be in aid of POPI which collects and distributes donations of preloved items for babies and children under 5 in vulnerable and disadvantaged families in Keighley and the surrounding area. POPI operates on a referral basis and has seen a massive demand for its services over recent years. The money we raise will go towards running costs (e.g. rent for their storage facility) and purchase of items that can’t be passed on such as mattresses.

The second 75 miles, returning from Parbold to Sutton, will be in aid of St Thomas’s Church. During its 150 year history the church has played a central role in village life and is now seeking new ways in which it can support our community. Yet, St Thomas’s future is vulnerable as running costs now exceed income. The money we raise will go towards maintaining the beautiful Victorian building and enable us to run more activities for the benefit of the community such as the recently formed “Games and Grub” club.

Please do consider sponsoring us for these great local causes. A 150 mile bike ride over three days might not seem like a great challenge to some but for these rather decrepit, middle-aged men it’s going to be a real bone-shaking, muscle-crunching ordeal!