THE White Hart pub in Atworth is hosting a charity ‘cyclothon’ next week to raise money for the Melksham Crisis Fund.
With the support of staff and the local community, pub owners, and Melksham Person of the Year 2018 winners, Kirsty and Nathan Cortilla, are hoping to clock up 1,000 miles in 12 hours using static exercise bikes.
The ambitious event will take place on Sunday 19th May from 11am to 11pm, with a whole host of other fundraising events for visitors to enjoy, including coffee and cake, a smoothie bar, live music, a book and DVD sale, and food, including chilli, served in the evening.
The pub will also be collecting non-perishable food donations for Melksham Foodbank, which works alongside the Melksham Crisis Fund.
Speaking to Melksham News, Kirsty said, “I’m hoping that we can raise at least £1,000 for the Melksham Crisis Fund – a pound for every mile! This event is something different, that the whole village can get involved in.
“We want to do as much as we can to help the Melksham Crisis Fund, an emergency fund for local people. I went to visit Hilary McFall, one of the Melksham Foodbank volunteers, at the foodbank and I was gobsmacked by how many people need the service and the crisis fund. It’s now one of our charities at the pub – it’s important to support an organisation that supports our own village and town.
“The crisis fund is for anyone local – for example a parent needing help to buy shoes for their kid – a service to help people in need.
“The ‘cyclothon’ is open to anyone to come and take part in – whether someone wants to cycle for two miles, or for half an hour – it all adds up. White Hart staff will be taking part and we already know of families that will be coming to cycle – why not come with your kids and cycle alongside your son or daughter. Melksham Foodbank staff will also be coming to join us on the day to help clock up some miles.
“For the event we’ll have two or three exercise bikes – and a back-up rowing machine, just in case we need to add some more miles – 1,000 miles in 12 hours is quite a lot!
“Everyone is welcome to come on the day – even if you are not able to cycle (or row). Come along, cheer the cyclists on and take part in the many other events that have been organised – there’s loads going on.”
