Charnwood Borough Council - Leading in Leicestershire

A TEAM of intrepid fundraisers aim to prove they have got heart by covering the distance of the Tour de France in aid of a national charity.

Around 70 people who attend Heart Smart – Charnwood Borough Council’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Scheme – will be taking part in the Ride the Tour challenge to raise money for the charity Sands (Stillbirth and Near Natal Death Society).

They will be cycling, walking, swimming, rowing and even orienteering in an attempt to complete the 3,556 kilometres (2,209 miles) during September.

It is the fifth annual challenge that Heart Smart regulars have taken part in and they will be looking to significantly boost the £10,500 they have already raised from their endeavours.

Carol Dixon, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Officer, said: “This is another tough challenge for everyone involved but they will no doubt rise to the occasion.

“Every year, their dedication to these fundraising efforts surprise me and I know they will be doing their all to complete the distance and raise as much money as possible for Sands.”

All of the participants have been diagnosed with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and were referred to Heart Smart, which aims to promote gentle exercise as a way of enabling individuals to achieve and maintain better health, by hospitals or GPs.

The fundraising effort kicks off on Monday, September 1 with a 12-hour cycle ride event at Loughborough Leisure Centre.

Heart Smart regulars will then take part in a sponsored walk which sets off from Loughborough Leisure Centre on Thursday, September 4 at 11am before getting on their bikes for an 11-mile cycle ride around Charnwood on Monday, September 8.

Other events include a six-hour bowls shoot out on Thursday, September 11, orienteering at the Outwoods on Tuesday, September 16 and a sponsored walk on Wednesday, September 24.

Another 12-hour cycle ride plus cake stall will be held at the Soar Valley Leisure Centre on Thursday, September 25 before the month is rounded off with a curling event in the sports hall at Loughborough Leisure Centre on Monday, September 29.

Everyone taking part in the Ride the Tour will wear specially-designed T-Shirts sponsored for the second year running by Serco, the company which manages Loughborough and Soar Valley Leisure Centres on behalf of the Council.

Cllr Peter Lewis, Charnwood’s Cabinet member for Leisure, said: “We need to remember that sport and physical activity is not just about competition – it’s about health, well being and a decent life. That’s why these events are so important.

“It’s so proper that the money should be given to Sands because, very frequently, people forget that bereavement can destroy the lives of other people and make carrying on even more unbearable.”

Every day in the UK, 17 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth and Sands aims to support anyone affected by the death of a baby and to work in partnership with health professionals to improve the quality of care and services offered to bereaved families.

The charity also aims to promote research and changes in practice that could help reduce the loss of babies’ lives.

Jeanne Nicholls, from Sands, said: “All the money raised by this sponsored event will help us achieve our aims, and your interest and support are greatly appreciated.”

To find out more about Heart Smart, call (01509) 634 587 or log on to www.charnwood.gov.uk/leisure/heartsmart.html.

Further details about Sands is available by logging on to www.leicester-sands.org.uk or calling 07721 068464.