Ealing's Nightriding Reverend | |||||
Charity cycle ride to raise funds for Uganda
An Ealing vicar is about to take part in a 100-kilometre all-night cycle ride around London to raise funds for a local charity. UDS provides computer training, literacy aids and support for subsistence farmers to improve their livelihoods. Their work focuses around Kamuli, in rural Eastern Uganda. Nightrider will see 3,000 cyclists from a number of charities undertake one of the UK’s most exciting sporting charity challenges. On the night of Saturday 9th-Sunday 10th June they will don their helmets and hi-viz jackets to pedal a 100-kilometre route around London, taking in the famous sights, the empty city streets, and some serious hills. There are two start/finish points – one at Alexandra Palace in the north, the other down south at Crystal Palace. Staggered starts run from 11 pm to 01.35 am. The route follows two huge loops round north and south London, and takes in some 50 famous landmarks, including Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, Canary Wharf, the Houses of Parliament and the Albert Hall, as well as the West End and the City. It also presents some formidable climbs at Tulse Hill, Muswell Hill and Hampstead..and some exhilarating descents. Most riders complete the route in 6 – 8 hours. Asked what he was looking forward to most, Reverend Mckenzie said: “ I’m tempted to say 'the downhill sections' but I am really looking forward to enjoying this magnificent city lit up at night and especially going over the iconic Tower Bridge.” Reverend Mackenzie knows the ride will be tough, especially the final hill at Crystal Palace, but says it’s all in a good cause: “I am doing this to raise money and awareness for the wonderful work of Uganda Development Services in dramatically improving the lives of some seriously disadvantaged people. It is about helping others to help themselves out of poverty. If my small efforts go some way to helping people gain the education and employment opportunities that we often take for granted, then it will all have been worth it.” He won’t be taking the ten o’clock service at St John’s on the Sunday morning though – he’s asked a deputy to do that.
7th June 2012
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