The Goatham’s Great Kent Cycle Ride returns for 2018, with a new route covering over 220 miles of the county’s roads on 6, 7th and 8th July, raising money for Kent Sports Trust to help people across Kent.
The riders will set off from the headquarters of AC Goatham & Son at Flanders Farm, Hoo, on the morning of Friday 6th July, and the cyclists will begin their journey, travelling to Ashford via the Weald of Kent, stopping off at Leeds Castle for refreshments.
Day two will see dozens of extra cyclists join the one-day option of the ride and spend it cycling around the low Weald, Romney Marsh and Hythe before returning to Ashford for a celebration meal.
The third and final day will see the riders leave Ashford, head towards Canterbury, stop for lunch at Shepherd Neame in Faversham and then cycle along the North Downs to finish at Hoo around 5pm.
With one or three-day options for cyclists, the event is open to all ages (over 14) and abilities, giving even the most modest of bike riders the chance to be involved in something special, to have fun and make lasting friendships all whilst raising money for charity.
Chief Executive Officer of Kent Sports Trust, Steve Wolfe, comments: “Last year we organised the first ever Goatham’s Great Kent Cycle Ride which saw over 80 riders participate over the three days raising tens of thousands of pounds for our work here in Kent and a donation was made to Help for Heroes.”
“The money raised has helped us to fund a number of fantastic projects across the county such as working with Flip Out here in Chatham, getting school children to come and use the facilities – getting young people active through trampolining that might not necessarily have the opportunity.”
Some of the other activities of Kent Sports Trust include:
Free rolling out of the Daily Mile project into schools – getting 4-11 year olds running a minimum of one mile every single day.
Free assemblies and activity sessions with our sports ambassadors.
Free Every Step Counts groups across Kent. Getting those that are socially isolated, widowed, suffering from physical or mental health conditions, out for a healthy walk followed by a cup of tea in local communities.
Funded Kent Karate – getting hundreds of young people into karate for the first time in Kent and supporting them through their sporting journey.
Free workplace activity groups.
Free sports equipment to schools in areas of deprivation.
Great Kent Cycle Ride
Carol Ford at AC Goatham & Son comments: “We are delighted to support this major fund-raising event and the work of Kent Sports Trust, who are helping to promote healthy activity and access to free sports activities, to encourage healthier lives for all.”
“Having personally taken part last year, I can also say it is also a great deal of fun, combining the pleasure of cycling across the beautiful Kent Countryside with the company of a fantastic group of people, who encouraged each other on. This is a ride, not a race and I would encourage anyone to come along and take part.”
To secure your place on the Goatham’s Great Kent Cycle Ride, visit www.kentsportstrust.org, email [email protected] or call (01634) 820780. It costs £75 per person to register and there is a minimum fundraising target. Money raised will fund the work of Kent Sports Trust and a donation will be made to Help
for Heroes.