A TIMPERLEY based cycling club and Cheshire children’s charity are calling on would-be Santas to join them for a cycling challenge with a twist on Sunday, November 20.

For the second year running, Timperley Boneshakers Cycling Club is organising a Santa Dash Bike Ride in aid of the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust.

The event will see cyclists of all abilities tackling either a 30 mile or 60 mile circular route, starting at 9am at Altrincham Market. Both routes will take in many beauty spots, including Tatton Park for the 30 mile route and Delamere Forest for the 60 mile route. Both will include a 'pit stop' at the charity’s Millington base where volunteers will treat the cyclists to a warming glass of mulled wine and a mince pie, sponsored by Mark Towney 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 return to the market, each cyclist will be treated to a hearty fish and chip lunch at Altrincham Fish Bar to celebrate their achievements.

Last year’s event saw 65 cycling Santas taking part, but this year Ian Elliott from the Boneshakers is hoping to more than double that and raise even more money for the local children’s charity. 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 not only be taking place for the second year running, but it will also now be an annual event in our programme of sponsored challenges which includes trekking, running and cycling challenges in the both the UK and overseas, tandem skydives and even a midnight climb up Snowdon. More than260 people have participated in a CAFT challenge over the past 10 years raising more than £380,000!

"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 more than 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.”

Each Santa will be asked to make a minimum £12 donation to the charity, but further sponsorship would be very welcome. 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 You can find out more about CAFT’s challenge events by visiting its website www.caft.co.uk or you can join their Challenge Community by liking their dedicated challenge Facebook page facebook.com/Children’s-Adventure-Farm-Trust-Challenge-Events or you could call Jure at the office on 01565 830 053.