Liverpool Community Health (LCH) NHS Trust, Liverpool FC, Breckfield & North Everton Neighbourhood Council (BNENC) and North Liverpool Cycle Project are organising a Santa Cycle for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Taking place on Sunday 14th December, this unique Christmas charity event will see hundreds of cyclists covering a several mile route from Pier Head to Alder Hey, dressed in full Santa suits.

Once the cycling Santas arrive at their destination, they will also be delivering sacks of Christmas presents to all of the sick children at the hospital.

Gavin McLaughlin, Cycle for Health Coordinator for Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust which is a year round scheme that supports people to get active through cycling after a period of illness, is helping to organise the event.

He explains:

“Last year’s Santa Cycle was a brilliant festive charity event which saw around 250 members of the local community joining us on our charity cycle to help spread a little bit of Christmas cheer to sick children who will sadly be spending Christmas in hospital this year.”

“But this year, we’re calling for even more people to join our sea of cycling santas in order to help make this our biggest and best year yet.”

Bob Blanchard, Director of Funding & Development for Breckfield & North Everton Neighbourhood Council adds:

“Taking part in our Santa Cycle for Alder Hey is great fun, and it’s also a fantastic way to show support to local children who are in hospital over Christmas and their families, so we want to encourage as many people as possible to join us for it this year.”

Rather than being asked to raise sponsorship money, anyone who would like to take part is being asked to donate a pre-wrapped Christmas gift for a child at Alder Hey. Each one should be labelled as being for a Boy or Girl and for the appropriate age group.

Any companies or members of the public who would like to show their support for the event are also welcome to donate Christmas presents.

Plus, don’t forget that you don’t even need to own your own bike to take part this year either. City Bikes are available for hire for just £3 p/day from www.citybikeliverpool.co.uk

Cyclists will be congregating at Pier Head at 9.30am on Sunday 14th December, and will be setting off on their route at 10.00am.

To sign up for a place to take part in the Santa Cycle for Alder Hey, please call Bob Blanchard on: (0151) 288 8400 or email: bob.blanchard@thebreckfieldcentre.com Or Gavin McLaughlin on (0151) 295 3238 or email: gavin.mclaughlin@liverpoolch.nhs.uk