Children’s charity invites all to get on their bikes with Santa this festive season

Local children’s charity Fresh Start new beginnings (FSNB) has launched its latest fundraising drive, calling on families, individuals, gyms and businesses to sign up to ‘Cycle Santa’.

The charity provides therapeutic services for children and young people in Suffolk and Norfolk who have been victims of sexual abuse and is now hosting a festive fundraising campaign to help raise vital funds for its services.

Kicking off ‘Cycle Santa’ is a gym and local businesses challenge beginning on 14th November, during which local gyms and businesses can take part in a virtual challenge to cycle the 2621 mile distance from Ipswich to the North Pole. Teams can compete for one of three prizes, Speedy Santa: the fastest to team complete 2621 miles, Long Range Santa: the team completing the most miles and Money Spinning Santa – the team raising the most money.

A Santa Cycle Fun Day will also be held on Sunday 27^th November in Ipswich, featuring organised cycle rides. Based at Ipswich School Sports Centre, participants will have the choice to ride one of two routes, ‘the Snowman’ which is 10 miles and ‘the Reindeer’ which is 20 miles. Children will also be able to take part in the ‘Elves Circuit’, which will take place within the Sports Centre rather than out on the road.  All riders will be supplied with festive Santa suits and a medal, and a prize will be awarded for the most festive bike.

Back at the event HQ, Father Christmas and his helpers will join the attractions and activities for children.

Event organisers hope to raise £5,000, which is enough to deliver therapeutic services to two child victims of sexual abuse.

FSnb fundraising Officer Carrie Baker said: “We’re so excited to launch this year’s festive fundraising events. It’s a wonderful time of year to bring everyone together in the festive spirit to help us raise much needed funds to support our services.

“Bringing together so many cycling santas won’t just help us with our fundraising, it will also draw attention to our charity which is equally as important.  It’s crucial that people understand the scale and impact of child sexual abuse so that together we can raise awareness and help people spot the signs of children being harmed.”

The Cycle Santa event costs £15 adults for adults and £10 for juniors aged 8 to 15. Under 7s are free and families can buy a ticket for £35 which includes 2 adults and up to 3 juniors. Santa suits and medals are included in the entry fee.

Thank you to Avenue Taxis for supporting all our festive events.

For more information visit our website www.fsnb.org.uk