A TIMPERLEY based cycling club and a children’s charity are calling on would-be Santas to join them for a cycling challenge this month.

For the third year running, Timperley Boneshakers Cycling Club in partnership with Altrincham Market are organising a Santa Dash Bike Ride in aid of the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust.

The event on November 19 will see Santa-clad cyclists of all abilities tackling either a 12.5-mile family friendly route, or one two more challenging 30-mile and 60-mile circular routes.

All will start and finish at Altrincham Market. The family route will follow a section of the Transpennine Trail while the longer routes will take in many beauty spots, including Tatton Park for the 30-mile route and Delamere Forest for the 60-mile route.

All routes will include a pit stop at the charity’s base at Millington, near Altrincham, where volunteers will treat the cyclists to a warming glass of mulled wine and a mince pie, sponsored by Mark Towey of Stonehaus Bathrooms in Knutsford.

While at the Adventure Farm, they’ll each then don their free Santa suit which they will then wear for the last leg of their challenge through Dunham Massey. Upon their victorious return to the market, each cyclist will be treated to lunch provided by Altrincham Market traders Savin Hill Farm.

Last year’s event saw 100 cycling Santas taking part with £2,300 raised for the charity, but this year Ian Elliott from the Boneshakers is hoping to more than double that. Places are limited for the event so Ian is urging interested cyclists, and Santas, to register their place as soon as possible.

Jure Modic, Sports and Challenges Fundraiser from CAFT, said: “We are so pleased to announce that the Santa Dash Bike Ride will be taking place for the third year running, it has quickly become a firm favourite in our festive calendar and joins an ever growing list of sponsored challenges raising funds for our charity each year.

"This includes trekking, running and cycling challenges in the both the UK and overseas, tandem skydives and even a midnight climb up Snowdon.

"More than 500 people have participated in a CAFT challenge over the past 10 years raising more than £500,000.

"We really are so grateful to Ian and everyone at Timperley Boneshakers for their hard work and amazing support. This is going to be such a fantastic event – and quite a sight to see for spectators as over 100 cycling Santas pass them by!

"All of the money raised on the day will go straight into our Christmas party programme, a five week project which will see us bringing the magic of Christmas into the lives of hundreds of ill, disabled and disadvantaged children from all over our region.”

For more information about how to register call Jure on 01565 830 053 or email jure@caft.co.uk or alternatively email Ian Elliott timperleyboneshakers@gmail.com

Each Santa will be asked to make a minimum £12 donation to the charity, but further sponsorship would be very welcome.