Fundraisers urge people to take part in virtual sportive for Compton Care

The Wolverhampton-based hospice has seen its funding severely drop due to shops closing and fundraising events being cancelled – including the popular Banks's Round The Wrekin Sportive.

Hundreds of riders were expected to descend on the region's roads this Sunday for the cycling event's fifth year – with hopes of it raising more than £50,000, surpassing the previous highest figure.

It has led to charity patron and Wolverhampton cycling legend Hugh Porter admitting he was "truly gutted" that it wouldn't go ahead – or achieve his dream of seeing 1,000 riders take part this year.

But despite the empty cheque there is still hope – with fundraisers pushing for people to take on a virtual version of the sportive, or any distance, which raises roughly £26,803 each year.

Mr Porter said: "For me the sportive connects me to people who aren't racing cyclist but they like to ride a bike for charity.

"I love hearing stories from riders who have through serious hardship and they've taken up cycling to get through it – and are now riding to help Compton Care.

"I'm gutted it can't go ahead this year but you have to be sensible – you can't have a mass-participation event, you have to think about distancing and the health implications first.

"But it's disappointing for Compton Care because it's a really big fundraiser and we have to go some way to replace those funds.

"It's hard to take because it was a dream of mine to raise more than £50,000 and see 1,000 riders take part.

"In life none of us are immortal and families sometimes get touched by something which needs attention and Compton Care always show their professionalism.

"It would mean a lot both to me and the charity if people took part – even if they can't do the full distance, or do it over a couple of days."

The virtual event will see people take on one of the three routes – the 100-mile Banks's Epic, the 55-mile Compton Care Classic or the 27-mile Hugh Porter Challenge.

Cyclists can take on the challenge at home – or outside following Government guidance – to raise as much as they can.

Commonwealth Gold-winner Mr Porter would have taken on the route named after him, which would've seen cyclists through Worfield and Claverley.

The Compton Care Classic route would have covered through Kinver down to Bewdley, heading towards the Clee Hills – with the Banks's Epic including a big climb over the Malvern Hills.

Ruth Brown, head of fundraising at Compton Care, said: "We are really disappointed that we have had to cancel this year’s Banks’s Round the Wrekin event.

"This would have been our fifth cycle sportive in aid of Compton where we had hoped to welcome many cyclists from across the country.

"The event has raised an incredible £107,000 over the past four years which has enabled us to offer care and support to local families living with complex and incurable conditions.

"Unfortunately, we are facing a loss in income this year because of Covid-19, due to the fact that we have had to cancel events and temporarily close our retail shops.

"The crisis is having a significant effect on our ability to generate the income so we need your support now more than ever.

"We want to encourage anyone that had registered to take part in this year’s sportive to consider taking part in our virtual cycle challenge and raise vital funds for Compton Care.

"In doing so, you’ll be supporting us to step up and help the NHS in the fight against coronavirus."

People can take part in other virtual challenges for Compton Care by visiting www.comptoncare.org.uk – or to simply donate.

Visit https://givepenny.com/event/cycling-challenge- to take part in the virtual sportive.