A CHARITY bike ride from rugger’s birthplace to its unofficial HQ has got off to a flying start with a donation of nearly £240,000.
Over 100 cyclists will ride from Rugby to Twickenham during the 2014 TNT Express Rugby Cycle Challenge in September in aid of children’s rugby charity Wooden Spoon.
They will cycle more than 115 miles over three days to arrive at Twickenham during the Aviva Premiership London Double Header on September 6.
To launch the challenge, Alistair Cochrane, managing director of sponsors TNT Express, handed a cheque for £237,871 to Wooden Spoon chairman John Gibson at the Webb Ellis Memorial Statue.
The company raised the money through direct donations, sponsorship and gifts in kind, taking the total raised to £3.48m since the partnership began in 1997.
Mr Cochrane said: “The work Wooden Spoon does throughout the UK with disadvantaged and disabled children entirely matches our philosophy.”
Former England international and British & Irish Lion Tim Stimpson – also an ambassador for Wooden Spoon – will be joining the cyclists.
He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to set out from the birthplace of a sport that is very close to my heart.
“To be involved in something as monumental as this challenge, whilst raising funds for disadvantaged children, is very humbling.”
Wooden Spoon, which last year celebrated its 30th anniversary by becoming the official charity of the Rugby League World Cup, helps sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.
