Cyclists to pedal their way around Carsington Water to raise cash for charity

The team of generous riders will be taking part in Pedal in the Peaks, a 35-mile ride around Carsington Water, organised by Derby Hospitals Charity.

It will be the third time a team called ‘Old Enough to Know Better’ will have taken part in the event, to be held on Sunday, July 6.

In those two years the team has raised £10,000 for Derby Hospitals Charity and team leader Andy Bestwick said he didn’t want to stop at that landmark.

The 45-year-old, of Somercotes, said he had taken part in his first Pedal in the Peaks in 2012 after seeing the event advertised while his wife Teresa, 43, was being treated at the Royal Derby Hospital.

He said: “I asked around at work for sponsorship and before long I had a team of 14 joining me in the first year and a team of 40 for the second year.

“For me it was chance to say thank you for the care Teresa received, but I also linked in to other people whose partner, mother or father had received treatment at the hospital who also wanted to give something back. Over the last two years we have raised £10,000 and we are not planning on stopping there - we will be back in the saddle in July to raise even more.”

Kerry Brady, Events and Community Fundraiser for the Derby Hospitals Charity said: “This is the 4th year we have organised this popular event and over the years we have noticed that many of our participants enjoy dressing

up. In previous years we’ve had people dress up as everything from Batman,

Joker and the Incredible Hulk to cycling in cow and sheep onesies, so this year we will be offering a prize for the best costume on the day.”

All participants are encouraged to arrive at the visitors centre at the Carsington Reservoir at 9am to start at 9.30am. There is an entry fee of £12 per person and all cyclists must be aged 16 or over.

To find out how to register for the event, contact Derby Hospitals Charity on 01332 786445 or email [email protected].