Get on one’s bike (From Messenger Newspapers)

Trio to tackle the Great Manchester Cycle to boost the Christie

12:00pm Friday 27th April 2012 in News

THE first Great Manchester Cycle has won the royal 'wheel' of approval - and is set to raise lots of money for good causes.

The inaugural event will take place on June 4, as the nation gets set to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

And in honour of the historic milestone, three members of staff at the Christie hospital have agreed to take part in the race wearing specially designed ‘monarch masks’.

In recognition of their tribute, organisers of the cycle have allotted each of the trio the special event number 60 – in acknowledgement of Her Majesty’s six decades on the throne.

They have also announced a new flat entry rate of £10 for individual adult cyclists, £5 for 8-15-year-olds and free for under-7s.

The Christie staff members who are taking to the city streets to raise vital funds for the specialist cancer centre are fundraising assistant Claire Murray, 31, sporting events officer Rachel Steele, 22, and Howard Newhall, a community fundraising officer.

Speaking about the challenge, Claire Murray, from Didsbury, said: “We are really looking forward to taking part in the first ever Great Manchester Cycle and whizzing along famous city roads that are normally packed full of cars.

“I imagine there will be a real celebratory atmosphere, as not only will we be celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee but also gearing up for a wonderful summer of sport all round.

“This event is a great way to see the city of Manchester but it is also a fun way for individuals and families to raise vital funds for charities and good causes.”

The Great Manchester Cycle will take place on closed roads and is being organised by Nova International, the team behind the ever popular Bupa Great Manchester Run, now in its 10th year, and the British Gas Great Manchester Swim.

Featuring a 13 mile lap starting at Eastlands and going past Old Trafford, the event will feature three different distances, designed to cater for all abilities from club cyclists to families who wish to take in the sights of the city at a gentler pace. The course will include a unique chance to cycle on the Mancunian Way, the inner city ring road normally closed to cyclists.

Entry fee includes an accurate chip timing, a Great Manchester Cycle T-shirt, medal and finishers pack. There will also be a feed station on course to keep participants hydrated and energy levels topped up.

For more information on entry prices and to enter the Great Manchester Cycle please go to www.greatcycle.org To donate money to the Christie cyclists go to http://www.justgiving.com/ChristiePedalPower