Get on your bike to help sick children

A NORWICH City hotshot striker from Beccles is encouraging people to slip into the saddle and take part in a sponsored charity bike ride. Chris Martin is helping promote this year's annual EDP Ride for Life, where cyclists of all ages and abilities will have the chance to raise funds for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

A NORWICH City hotshot striker from Beccles is encouraging people to slip into the saddle and take part in a sponsored charity bike ride.

Chris Martin is helping promote this year's annual EDP Ride for Life, where cyclists of all ages and abilities will have the chance to raise funds for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

The event, which is in its 17th year, is backed by the Canaries and all money raised will go towards helping life-threatened children and their families.

Last year, more than 1,200 people took part, raising more than �60,000 for the charity. Mr Martin said it was important that as many people as possible took part in 2010.

'The charity is there for people to get involved in and to do their bit for,' he said.

'Football's got a lot of backing and if we can transfer some of that to the charity, then we should.'

Scores of people are expected to turn out on May 16 at Santon Downham in Thetford Forest for a variety of cycle rides, ranging from 10 to 35 miles, with on and off-road routes available.

For those who prefer to raise funds on two feet rather than on a saddle, there will also be three and nine-mile walking routes available.

EACH, which relies mainly on public funding, provides care and support for children and their families in their own homes, as well as at the charity's hospices at Quidenham in Norfolk, Milton in Cambridgeshire and Ipswich in Suffolk.

EACH events fundraiser Karen Chesney said: 'We now need to encourage cyclists and walkers, either past participants or those who have never got involved before, to dust off their saddles and dig out their walking shoes.

'Not only will they be able to get out and get fit while experiencing the breathtaking scenery of Thetford Forest with family and friends, but they will also have the satisfaction of knowing they are raising vital funds to provide care and support to life-threatened children and their families.'

This year also sees the launch of the Virtual Ride for Life which will take place at gyms and leisure centres across East Anglia and will see individuals or teams sponsored to walk or cycle the distances offered at the actual event.