Cyclists pedalled for purpose during the first major sports event in the region since the pandemic began on Sunday 4th July.
After over a year of enforced limited social contact, strict regulations resulting in a detrimental impact on many people’s wellbeing; the organisers of the historic LCL (Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool) event pushed through with the community bike ride Sunday 4th July 2021.
Making it one of the first mass participation sporting events (outside of pilot events) to take place in the UK since restrictions were put in place in March 2020.
Riders raised a whopping £72,000+ for local causes and enjoyed the new festival village, hosted by partners Exchange Flags within their ‘Summer on the Square’ event.
This year’s headline charity status was given to local charity The Bobby Colleran Trust who recently announced the launch of its ‘Take Care for Bobby’ campaign to support the mental health of children and young people in the Liverpool City Region.
The Trust has provided mental health and bereavement support to children alongside its well-known ‘Slow Down for Bobby’ road safety campaign since 2014, when 6-year-old Bobby Colleran was killed in a road accident. Following the Covid19 pandemic, Take Care for Bobby was launched to deliver a range of therapies in schools, improve the understanding of mental health for children, young people and care givers as well as providing bite-size tips and tools for mental health caretaking within its specially-created programme.
The mass participation bike ride raised an incredible £42,000+ towards the opening of its own wellbeing centre for children and young people in Liverpool as part of the next phase in the Take Care for Bobby campaign.
Joanne Colleran, founder of The Bobby Colleran Trust (Bobby’s mother) said:
“This is such an exciting opportunity for people to support us whilst supporting their own physical and mental wellbeing. It is our mission to see the ‘Take Care for Bobby’ mental health programme rolled out across every school in the region and we’re urging as many people as possible to help us raise vital funds that will go directly to improving the mental health of local children and young people.”
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Other charities that benefitted from the event were North West Air Ambulance, St Paul’s Eye Unit and Cycling Projects and a staggering £8,700+ in total has been raised to date.
The event was supported by Huyton Asphalt and sister company Huyton Asphalt Civils, as part of their longstanding commitment to community engagement, sustainability, and environmental awareness.
The group of businesses vowed to support the LCL Bike ride and The Bobby Colleran Trust in their mission to tackle the child mental health crisis that has accelerated over the past year of lockdowns. In support of the impact of exercise on wellbeing, Huyton Asphalt also facilitated free places for all under 15’s wanting to participate.
James Blennerhassett, Founder & Managing Director, Huyton Asphalt said
“After a tough year for everyone, we were thrilled to support the LCL Bike Race and give people the opportunity to reunite with our roads, get on their bikes and support an incredible charity.”
HA Civils’ Managing Director, Tony Carney added
“Giving back to the communities we serve is part of our DNA as a business and we have supported The Bobby Colleran Trust from the beginning of their journey. As the country prepares to reopen, we are proud to connect our highways with health and wellbeing – from Liverpool to Chester and back again!”
JustGiving to donate and fundraise for The Bobby Colleran Trust.
Other partners include Merseytravel, Exchange Flags, NCP, Halfords, The Guide Liverpool and Countess of Chester Park.
