Saddle up and join legend Hugh Porter for virtual cycle challenge
Bike riders across the region are being asked to take to the virtual roads for a good cause.
Compton Care has announced that its annual Round the Wrekin event will now take the form of a virtual challenge with riders encouraged to take on one of four challenges.
Riders taking part in the virtual event on May 16 will be able to complete either the Ten Mile Taster, the 25-mile Hugh Porter Route, the 50-mile Compton Care Classic or the 100-mile Epic.
Patron of the charity Hugh Porter will be taking part in the challenge and said that while he was disappointed that the actual event couldn't take place, he was pleased to see something happening.
The 81-year-old said: "I'm disappointed that we couldn't put the event on, but these things are out of our control and no real way of putting this sort of event on at present, so it's the right call.
"I also think it was the right call to make the announcement about the virtual event as it gives two months for people to think about getting involved and I hope it stimulates some interest.
"The beauty of doing this is that people can replicate the distances from their front door or they can do it at home on a turbo or static bike on rollers, so there's plenty of opportunities for people to get involved."
Anyone taking part in the event is asked to either make a donation or raise sponsorship for Compton Care, with a range of rewards on offer for those raising certain amounts.
Anyone raising or donating £50 will receive a finishers medal, £250 means an official Compton Care cycling jersey and £500 will see the donor or fundraiser receive a unique Round the Wrekin hooded top.
Kate Kelly, community and events manager at Compton Care, said it meant a lot to have Hugh Porter's patronage and said she'd love to see a large number of people get involved in the event.
She said: "We'd love to see local people get involved to support the work that we do as we stepped up to help the local community during lockdown.
"We hope that people will support us by taking part in the virtual event and help to support us this year and, hopefully, in person as part of our 40th year."
To find out more and to sign up, go to comptoncare.org.uk.
