Black Country cyclists going Dutch to help raise £3,000
Team Black Country Boys are saddling up to cycle to Amsterdam and raise money for charity.
Halesowen North councillor Stuart Henley and his friends Bill Campbell along with Peter Bennett will be pedalling the 145-mile journey wearing the red, white and black flag.
They are joining an army of 300 riders taking part in the Football to Amsterdam event in the hope of raising awareness about prostate cancer, a disease that affects one in eight men in the UK.
Two weeks before the World Cup kicks off, a total of 400 football fans cycle 145 miles over two days, finishing at Ajax’s Amsterdam ArenA.
The team of three from Dudley, which is hoping to raise £3,000 for Prostate Cancer UK, has raised £845 so far. A fundraising event will be held on May 5 at Parkes Hall Social Club, in Dudley, from at 7pm.
There will be live music, competitions, a raffle and auction where football tickets, a signed Walsall FC ball and entry into local attractions will be available.
Tickets costs £3 for adults and £2 for children, which can be bought from Mr Campbell on 07961 068352. The team took part last year and kits decorated with the Black Country Flag. This year’s outfits have been sponsored by Fixed Wheel Brewery in Halesowen.
Councillor Henley said: “I had a scare a few years ago but thankfully it turned out to be nothing.
“We want to encourage people to get checked. More people are becoming aware thanks to events like this or high profile figures talking about it such as Stephen Fry, who is recovering from prostate cancer surgery. Last year was good. It was hard in some parts, it was definitely a challenge, but it is for a good cause.
“To train we get on bikes and belt out about 80 or 90 miles. You have to push yourself. I have to admit, I have not started training yet but I am definitely still going for it.
“Our tops are sponsored by Fixed Wheel Brewery in Halesowen so it is great that local businesses are helping us out.”
The specially-designed kits can be bought on Facebook page Team Black Country Boys 2018 and all the proceeds go to charity.
Prices range from £15 for gloves to £45 for the long sleeve cycle top or bibbed shorts, which can also be bought by emailing HN-Streetwatch@outlook.com or texting 079671 42367.
Participants can set off from Lee Valley VeloPark or Barnsley’s Oakwell Stadium,
finishing at Ajax’s Amsterdam ArenA to celebrate. To donate go to justgiving.com/teams/Black-Country-Boys
