Cyclists urged to sign up to raise money for Northants Down’s Syndrome charity

The support group has had to change its main fundraiser for 2020 - so is asking for help from local people
The charity has been holding a bike ride for six yearsThe charity has been holding a bike ride for six years
The charity has been holding a bike ride for six years

A charity that supports Northamptonshire families affected by Down’s Syndrome is hoping that local cyclists will help them out by taking to their saddles to raise vital funds.

Ups n Downs Northamptonshire begins its ‘Go Around the World’ challenge on Friday to help boost its coffers.

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And it’s inviting any cyclists from family groups to experienced veterans and everyone in between to join in.

The fundraiser is to take on a different format this yearThe fundraiser is to take on a different format this year
The fundraiser is to take on a different format this year

The charity is used by about 45 local families and provides support and advice as well as promoting the inclusion of those with Down’s Syndrome.

It has been holding charity cycle ride for the past six years and this year it is taking on a different format.

The first ride took place in 2015 with just 30 participants and has grown year on year with nearly 200 taking part in 2019.

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In the past, the routes have taken the riders around the villages of Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Leicestershire, always returning to Earls Barton Cricket Club where a warm welcome has awaited. The ride has become a welcome fixture on the annual cycling calendar. Sadly, the event cannot go ahead as planned this year due to Coronavirus.

This year, the organisers had to come up with a ride with a difference. They are appealing to riders of all abilities to sign up for their epic 2020 ride, ‘Ups n Downs Go Around the World.’

Over a ten-day period between Friday, July 17, and Sunday, July 28, the aim is for the riders to clock as many miles as possible in any location. Ups n Downs is hoping that lots of families, as well as individual riders, will take part this year.

Whether it is a few miles on a static bike in the garage, a family ride, or for more ambitious riders, a 100 miler with a couple of friends, every mile counts. The challenge is, for all who take part, to cumulatively do the equivalent of circumnavigating the world, following the latitude 52 degrees north, a journey of 18,000 miles.

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A charity spokeswoman said: “The progress of the riders will be updated daily (through the Strava app), charting their progress across the world as they follow 52 degrees north.

“Where else would you get the chance to pass through so many countries including Germany, Belarus, Ukraine, China, Russia, Alaska, British Columbia, Ontario, Ireland and Wales?

“Coronavirus has had a negative impact on charity donations and fundraising. Ups n Downs is no different, and this event is the only major fundraiser this year.

Nothing would please us more than to see lots of people signing up for their rescheduled event.”

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Entry is £10 and there is an option to make a voluntary donation to Ups n Downs if you wish. Riders are very welcome from across the globe.

You can find out more and sign up by going to the UltraBritain link here.