Cyclists can help women and children who are struggling to survive and thrive – a problem exacerbated by the coronavirus – by taking part in the My Prudential RideLondon event, taking place on 15 and 16 August.
This year’s RideLondon cycling festival will become a virtual event to raise funds for UK charities, including Women and Children First.
The ride enables people to take part in challenges of varying lengths, from 1km to 100 miles.
My Prudential RideLondon offers supporters of all ages and abilities the opportunity to take part in an exciting, free event and raise crucial funds to help women and children survive and thrive.
You can take part anywhere. People taking part do not even need a bicycle. You can use a trike, scooter, skateboard – anything with wheels.
Women and Children First’s work includes helping pregnant women in countries like Malawi, Uganda and Ethiopia to get access to the medical care they need.
Too often women die in pregnancy and childbirth from preventable and treatable diseases. This problem has worsened with the threat of the coronavirus.
Women and Children First help by setting up women’s health groups, which find answers to address these health problems.
In Malawi the charity has helped communities make bicycle ambulances, attaching a stretcher to the back of a bicycle.
This can reduce journey times to medical centres, often over 4 miles away, from an hour and a half walk to just 15 minutes. This can be the difference between life and death.
You can either try a distance based on a RideLondon event – 19, 46 or 100 miles – or a distance of your choice.
For instance, 16 miles would be the equivalent of 2 round trips to a health facility for a pregnant woman.
To take part:
Register at www.myridelondon.co.uk and choose your challenge
Start fundraising and get ready for your challenge
Once signed up, participants will get access to a special app, providing a unique ride day experience, including:
A GPS function, so friends and family can track your progress on a virtual route
A personalised Prudential RideLondon certificate and selfie frames for a finisher photograph
For over 18s, entry into a competition to win a Brompton Bicycle worth £1,000, nutrition bundles and top-of-the-range cycling equipment
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of Prudential RideLondon, said: “After the cancellation of Prudential RideLondon, we were determined to create something special for our riders, partners and the hundreds of charities that rely on the event for vital income.
“In this socially distanced world, it’s also vitally important to encourage people to get on two wheels rather than use public transport.
“My Prudential RideLondon is completely free and offers a fundraising challenge for everyone. It can be done wherever you are and at any time on 15 or 16 August.
“Whatever you do, we urge you to raise funds for charity – and have fun!”
Seeking inspiration? Read how 2 Robs are cycling 3 Peaks in support of women worldwide >