KING’S LYNN: But will they do a lap of honour?
A team of cyclists will this summer set off from Lynn to tackle a 400-mile ride around East Anglia over four days to raise money for the air ambulance.
The 19 riders will set off on August 22, heading off for a lap of East Anglia in an anti-clockwise direction, taking in Northampton, Milton Keynes, Letchworth, Ipswich, Lowestoft, Cromer and Hunstanton before returning home on August 25.
The inaugural running of the Adrian Flux Lap of Anglia, which has attracted cyclists of mixed abilities from across the region, is the brainchild of Lynn man Damien Cross.
“The idea of the event is to highlight the huge area covered by the air ambulance,” said Mr Cross.
“We hope that by spending a few days working hard, pushing ourselves, getting numb rear ends, and burning off fast food, we can earn enough sponsorship to pay for at least one day of rescue missions, but hopefully more.
“There is a real spread of ages and abilities taking part, people from 23 to those in their 60s and some who take part in triathlons to others who have barely sat on a bike in 20 years.”
The cyclists will complete about 100 miles a day at a steady pace, and Mr Cross hopes to make it an annual event.
“It’s definitely not a race, and there won’t be any time trials or mountain stages, partly because we have no mountains in this part of the world!” he said.
“If it all goes well, we hope we’ll be able to expand it in the future and make it a fixture in the region’s cycling calendar.”
The EAAA, which helps about 100 patients a month across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, needs to raise £6million a year to fund a 365-day operation.
Adrian Flux Insurance Services, based in East Winch, provided £3,500 as main sponsors, while Iceni Water has donated 400 bottles of water.
Gerry Bucke, general manager at Flux, said: “We’re delighted to sponsor the Lap of Anglia and support the vital work carried out by the air ambulance.
Keen road cyclist Chris Donaldson, fundraising manager for the air ambulance, will be one of those riding.
He said: “It is a daunting prospect. I’m sure, however, that training, humour and grit will pull us all through.”
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/LapOfAnglia2013 or text LAPA50 £4 (or chosen amount) to 70070.
For more information see www.lapofanglia.co.uk or www.eaaa.org.uk
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Weather for King's Lynn
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
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