Keen cyclists will be helping to fight homelessness this summer when they take part in one of the UK’s biggest cycling events.
The Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, which attracts top riders such as Mark Cavendish, Nicole Cooke, Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins, has named Shelter Cymru as its chosen charity for 2010.
Festival organiser Bill Owen said: “We hope to attract even more riders to this year’s festival and are delighted to welcome Shelter Cymru, a charity that helps so many people, both here in Monmouthshire and across Wales.”
The festival opens on Friday 9 July with the Get Connected Wales Open Criterium, a 75 minute race around Abergavenny town centre for professional, elite and first category riders.
The following day is the turn of the Iron Mountain Sportif, a challenge event over the same course that held last year’s British Championships. With a choice of three distances – 25, 50 and 100 miles – this event offers a challenge to cyclists at all levels.
In each category 50 per cent of the entry fee will be donated to Shelter Cymru for those who register via the charity’s website www.sheltercymru.org..uk
Andrew Jones, fundraising manager at Shelter Cymru, said: “We are really pleased to be involved in this year’s festival. Last year, we were able to help nearly 16,000 people in housing need across Wales and, thanks to events like this, we can continue our work to prevent homelessness.
“We have extensive services across Monmouthshire so we also hope that the festival will help us to highlight the problems that people in this area face, as well as the support available to them.”
For further information or to register, visit www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk
Shelter Cymru provides free specialist advice, advocacy and legal representation for people in housing difficulties across Wales. Details of local services can be accessed by ringing 0845 075 5005 or visiting Shelter Cymru’s website www.sheltercymru.org.uk
Last year Shelter Cymru helped nearly 16,000 people, dealing with more than 22,000 housing problems and prevented homelessness in 86 per cent of the cases where it was faced.
The proportion of households who come to Shelter Cymru faced with mortgage repossessions has trebled in the past three years.
