As York begins the 100 days countdown until the 2014 Tour de France once again visits the shores of the UK.

Marie Curie, the official charity partner for the Grand Départ, is calling on people across the city to join the fun and throw their very own Grand Départy and help Marie Curie put on the greatest party the UK has ever seen.

The Tour de France is the pinnacle of human achievement, but not all of us are fit enough to jump on a bike and ride more than 2,000km across France. Cycling greats like Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish train for most of their lives to be able to complete the gruelling challenge.

The Grand Départy is all about getting your family, friends and entire community together to celebrate and getting involved couldn’t be easier. You don’t have to be a cyclist to take part and support this historic event.

Whether it’s getting on your bike and cycling, wearing yellow for the day or having a French themed dinner party – the Grand Départy is for everyone.

Fabian French, director of fundraising at Marie Curie, said:

“The Grand Départy is a fantastic way for the people of York to not only show their support for the Tour de France, but also raise much needed funds for Marie Curie. You don’t have to be a cyclist to take part; so whether it’s spending the day clad in yellow, dusting off that phrase book and speaking French for the day, or getting your friends together and holding your very own Tour of York - there are lots of ways to get involved.

“So register for your Grand Départy pack today and help Marie Curie put on the biggest party York has ever seen!”

The Marie Curie Grand Départy fundraising pack is jammed full of ideas and tips for you to hold your own event. Taking inspiration from all things tour related, there are lots of ways for you to raise vital funds for the charity:

• Go Cycling – Hold your very own Tour party. Organise a cycling tour of your town or take part in our cycle to work week and get your friends to sponsor you to cycle to work. How about contacting your local gym and see if they would like to hold a static cycle or sponsored spin class.

• Go Yellow – Have a day at work or school where everyone wears yellow. You could also hold a bake sale where everything you make is yellow.

• Go French – Hold a French themed dinner party for your friends or do something more active like a French-themed sports day.

To register for your pack, simply visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/tourdefrance.

Alternatively, people can donate directly to Marie Curie by texting TOUR to 70007, donating £5 to Marie Curie* (terms and conditions apply).

• Marie Curie is the leading charity providing care to people with any terminal illness in their own homes or in one of its nine hospices. All the money raised as part of the Grand Départy will go towards helping Marie Curie continue to provide free care to people across Yorkshire and the rest of the UK.