In a unique collaboration between three of the West Countries leading rugby clubs, they’ve joined forces to launch ‘Break The Cycle’ for 2015, and it’s bigger and better than ever before.
Now in its fifth year, the 110-mile ride – the biggest rugby charity cycling event in the South-West – will see over five-hundred cyclists from Bristol, Bath and Gloucester come together for the unique, one-day fundraising challenge with all funds raised going to the Club’s three Community operations.
The event, which takes place on Sunday, 14th June 2015, sees participants cycle a 110-mile route between Bath’s Recreation Ground, Gloucester’s Kingsholm and Bristol Rugby’s new home at Ashton Gate Stadium.
“Break The Cycle continues to go from strength to strength and, this year, we’re delighted to have the support of Bath Rugby Foundation and Gloucester Rugby,” Bristol Rugby Community Foundation CEO Ben Breeze told bristolrugby.co.uk.
“This is a unique event that encapsulates the fantastic Community work from the three clubs, underlining how rugby can be a vehicle for positive change.
“Break The Cycle has proven to be a vital source of funding for the Foundation and, last year, part funded numerous of our sport based education programmes for over 15,000 local young people.”
“I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in the past four years. I cannot emphasise strongly enough how important the funds raised have been in our continued success.”
General Manager of Bath Rugby Foundation, Mandy Gardner, said: “Bath Rugby Foundation is delighted to be working alongside old rivals Gloucester and Bristol Rugby to raise funds for our local communities; this collaborative approach will allow the Foundation to continue our education and inclusion programmes throughout Bath, Wiltshire and North East Somerset.”
Community Manager of Gloucester Rugby, Gary Little added: “The Gloucester Rugby Community foundation is delighted to be taking part with Bristol and Bath in the Break the Cycle charity ride.
“There is an immense amount of history that binds the clubs together and we hope that by bringing together this spirit of Rugby into the cycle ride we can raise much needed funding for community projects.
“Gloucester Rugby will be entering a team and we would like to invite as many Gloucester supporters to join us.
“It would be great to see lots of people leaving from Kingsholm on their bikes to raise as much money as we possibly can, so I hope the fact that the club are really behind this initiative will motivate our fans to get on their bikes for a fantastic charity event.”
For more information about the 2015 ‘Break The Cycle’ event, visit www.bristolcharitycyclingchallenge.co.uk.
To join the initiative and help mark the first season at Ashton Gate, sign up and enter the challenge here.