A Liverpool-based cancer research charity is hoping pedal power will help lead the fight against cancer as it launches its seventh annual charity cycling challenge in partnership with Liverpool FC’s Community Foundation – The Circle of Hope.

The event which takes its name from the village of Hope near Wrexham – will take place on Sunday May 3^rd and will raise funds for North West Cancer Research (NWCR) Liverpool’s leading charity investing in cancer research.

Since its inception in 2006, The Circle of Hope has attracted hundreds of riders who have helped to raise over £60,000 to fund cancer research projects at the University of Liverpool, as well as at Lancaster University and the University of Bangor.

Liverpool actor Simon O’Brien and the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Erica Kemp, have both shown their support for the Circle of Hope and the work that NWCR is doing in the Liverpool region to help improve our understanding of cancer and how better to detect, treat and prevent it.

Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Erica Kemp, said:

“I am delighted to get on my bike and help launch NWCR’s Circle of Hope bike ride, which will support ground breaking cancer research with the potential to benefit people right here in Liverpool.

“The work of the charity and its fundraisers is vital in the fight against high cancer rates in Liverpool and the North West.”

This year organisers have announced the addition of 10 mile course, which will allow more cyclists to take part. Riders can also choose from either a 50 mile or 100 mile route, both of which start and finish at Hope Parish Hall in Wrexham. The routes take cyclists through Flintshire, Denbighshire, Cheshire and Wrexham.

Particular highlights for riders include the highest point of the route, World’s End at Eglwyseg Mountain, where they will feel as though they are on top of the world, before making their way down the narrow road through the spectacular moorland plateau high above Llangollen and the Horse Shoe Pass.

Over 50 people have signed up to the Circle of Hope so far and organiser and NWCR Trustee, Mike Georgeson is hoping to encourage around 300 people from Liverpool and the North West  to get on their bikes and raise as much money as possible for cancer research.

49 year old Mike has previously cycled both the 100mile and 50mile routes in 2011 and 2012, raising over £3,000 as a result. He first became involved in the event after his wife Sally was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and saw the Circle of Hope as the perfect way for him to raise funds and combine his love of cycling.

Mike said:

“Having taken part in previous years, I can confidently say that this is a fun and rewarding way for people to offer their support to NWCR – a charity which is working to fund cancer research in Liverpool.

“People of all ages and cycling abilities can get involved, as there is a choice of routes, which can be completed in your own time. It’s not about being the fastest cyclist or biggest fundraiser; it’s about the taking part and raising money for a cause which has touched so many people in the area.

“Research is vital to our understanding of cancer, how to detect it, how to treat it and how to prevent it. But this cannot be done without significant funding from charities such as NWCR, which is why every penny we raise is so important.

“Over the past seven years the Circle of Hope has raised more than £60,000 which has gone on to fund research and we are hoping that this year we can add to this figure and would like to see as many people as possible from all over the North West sign up to the challenge and do their bit.”

Registration for all three courses are now open, with a fee of £10 for the 10 mile course and £20 for the 50 or 100 mile courses and participants are encouraged to pledge a minimum sponsorship of £50.

For more information visit http://www.circleofhope.co.uk/