EMpowered People Pilot Bike Appeal 100mile challenge

Paul, Paul, David and Simon all live with life changing and/or life limiting conditions including Myopic Macular Degeneration, Spastic Paraplegia, Secondary Multiple Sclerosis, cancer and Motor Neurone Disease (ALS). These conditions significantly affect their day-to-day living, and also their ability to participate in physical sport & activities independently.
In recent years, they have all been supported significantly by the locally-based small charity ,EMpowered People, which has provided them with individually adapted bike-trains so they are able to get out on bike rides and enjoy being 'out there'. The bike train involves a recumbent bike linked to the back of a pilot bike. Simon, David and the two Pauls each sit in their recumbent and participate as much as their condition allows to the cycling (either through foot operated or hand operated pedals), and they are supported by a pilot rider who uses an e-assisted bike to tow the recumbent. The charity organises several cycling holidays and social rides throughout the year, each of which is fully supported and depends on the generosity of donations to subsidise the cost for each individual. These 4 bike-trains are just one aspect of the cycling-related support and equipment that the charity provides for a range of people and its work has a massive positive impact on the physical and mental health of the individuals that it supports.

Unfortunately, the current pilot bikes for these bike trains are now several years old, and in this time they have worked extremely hard, covering many thousands of miles. Inevitably they are now suffering from considerable wear and tear, and are requiring more and more repair in order to keep them 'on the road'. They are fast wearing out and desperately need replacing in order for EMpowered People to continue to ensure that people like these intrepid four can continue to access the massive benefits these bike trains have brought them.
The cost of the new pilot bikes is £27 000, and as a small community-based charity , raising this amount of money presents a huge challenge. Although grant applications will hopefully provide some of the money, there will be a significant defecit in funds.
On 29th January 2023, the four riders and their pilot riders will attempt an incredible cycling challenge in order to try and raise some of the additional funds needed. They will attempt to ride 100miles in under 10hours over the challenging hills that make up the beautiful Calder Valley. Each bike train will complete a 25mile route, and each pair will set off half-an- hour after the other, each aiming to complete their section in under 2.5 hrs. The race will be on!
Of course, to add that little bit of extra difficulty to the challenge, they are doing it in the middle of winter, when the weather is likely to be at its coldest and wettest. The teams are expecting freezing winds and icy rain - but these conditions will not deter people who deal every day with the extreme challenges their respective health conditions present them.
Whilst this event will not raise the full amount needed, every donation - however small - will help towards improving the quality of life for these four cyclists and others like them who depend so much on their bike trains to keep enjoying life in the face of significant personal challenge.
Please can you help support them raise these much needed funds?

To see further information about the charity & the work it does, and this challenge & the people involved, please go to ...

empoweredpeople.co.uk