A CHALLENGE has gone out to sports clubs across York.

Organisers of this year's York Bikeathon have invited them to compete against one another to raise money for the event.

Last year 250 individuals and teams managed to raise £12,000 for the Leukaemia Research Fund (LRF) and this year the organisers hope to double that amount.

The money from the Bikeathon events held across the UK has already made a difference to the progress made in combating leukaemia, which touches the lives of one-in-five families.

The York event was inspired by the case of brave East Yorkshire girl Molly-Ann Barnett, who touched the hearts of the nation when she had a life-saving bone marrow transplant in September 2000.

To be held on June 9, the York Bikeathon will pass in and around the City of York, mostly on York Cycle Network paths protected from traffic for a distance of 26 miles.

Junior riders are encouraged to ride a special route of 12 miles. Every standard of cyclist may participate, from the young to the elderly with the route chosen specifically to cater for any kind of bicycle or rider. Awards will be given to the team and the individual that raises the most money.

Ken Wood, head of marketing for sponsors VMS Ltd of Pocklington, said: "The Bikeathon is a really fun day out. We are hoping that the people of York will really 'get on their bikes' and back the event again this year. There are so many clubs and societies in the area we thought it would be interesting to see who could raise the most amount of money. You don't have to be a sports club necessarily, we have had some interest from Girl Guides and Boy Scouts for example, and hopefully there will be some schoolchildren as well.

"We are urging people to contact us now and help make the York Bikeathon the biggest and best in the north of England."

Entry fees are £3 for adults, £1 for children (16 years and under). All entrants receive a T-shirt and a memento medal.

Get your entry form now by writing to:

York Bikeathon, VMS, Blenheim Rd, Pocklington Industrial Estate, York, YO42 1NR. Telephone: 01759 305030, fax: 01759 305816, email: bikeathon@vmsl.co.uk

Updated: 11:54 Thursday, May 23, 2002