By Elisha Atkinson
The UCI Road World Championships have announced their first fundraising partnership with Leeds Cares, a Yorkshire-based healthcare charity that works with Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
Emmanuel Blanchard, UCI’s key account coordinator said: “It’s a partnership that makes great sense in many ways.
“There is a clear convergence between the sport we all love at UCI and Leeds Cares’ values around the promotion of health, but also with assisting those who face challenges with adversity.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with Leeds Cares and coming up with practical solutions together.”
Leeds Cares, a charity that aims to provide exceptional healthcare in Leeds and Yorkshire, is offering 300 places in a 2019 UCI Road World Championships Sportive.
The fundraising event will give cyclists a chance to experience parts of the World Championship course, including some of the course’s more challenging climbs.
Participants will be able to choose between two distances and are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £445.
James Goodyear, associate director of policy and partnerships at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity for the NHS in Leeds, Leeds Teaching Hospitals and Leeds Cares.
“Leeds Cares provides an amazing amount of support to the NHS in Leeds. This will be a great opportunity to raise the profile of the work they are doing.
“But also, to get many more people across Leeds and Yorkshire involved in cycling and improving their health.”
Champion cyclist Lizzie Deignan, née Armitstead
It was revealed that Yorkshire’s Lizzie Deignan, twice winner of the UCI Womens Road World Cup is the new Leeds Cares ambassador.
David Welch, Leeds Cares CEO said: “She is definitely going to win, and we will be supporting her all the way.
“We are really privileged to have Lizzie as our ambassador, she’s a world champion, a true champion.
“We wish her all the best in the build-up to the world championships, and I think it will inspire people to get involved as well because she is a very special lady.”
Lizzie Deignan, née Armistead, was born in Otley in West Yorkshire.
The UCI Road World Championships take place in Yorkshire in September 2019. It will be the first time in 37 years that Britain will host the event.
To find out more and to get involved visit: http://leeds-cares.org/uci/