Riders wanted for Cuba cycle challenge

Anyone who's ever fancied cycling across Cuba is being asked to take part in a ride to help a children's charity.

The Surrey-based Children's Trust is attempting to raise more than £40,000 from the ride, which takes place in November this year.

The 350-km Cycle Cuba Challenge will will start at the infamous Bay of Pigs, scene of tension between America and Cuba at the height of the Cold War. From there participants will cycle to Cienfuiegos and then along the coast to the old town of Trinidad, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route will take then head to the National Park of Topes de Collantes and the impressive Escambray mountains and will end at Santa Clara, the first major place to be liberated from Batista's Army in December 1958.

There are 30 places available on the Cycle Cuba Challenge. Each participant must pay a registration fee of £299 and raise a minimum £2,750 in sponsorship for the charity. The trip will be for a total of nine days, five of which will be cycling. There will be a free day at the end of the trip to explore Havana. All flights, meals, bikes and accommodation will be provided.

Bryony Eida, sports events manager at the charity said: "These events not only help to raise funds for the children who receive care, education and therapy at The Children's Trust, but also help to raise awareness of the Trust's services for children with multiple disabilities and complex health needs, including children with an acquired brain injury."

Anyone interested in signing up for the challenge is invited to find out more at an event to be held at the trust's headquarters at Tadworth Court in Tadworth, Surrey on Saturday January 16, from 2pm to 4pm.

For more information and to register please download a leaflet or contact Nina Jackson at nina.jackson [at] btinternet.com

 For more information go to www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk.