Littleborough family set to pedal up the pounds for the NSPCC

Mum and dad Carole & Jim Kennedy with children Susie & Antony

A family of positive pedallers from Littleborough are gearing up to help vulnerable and abused children by backing the NSPCC’s Big Bike Ride Weekend.

Carole Kennedy, a member of the NSPCC’s Littleborough fundraising committee, has rallied her husband Jim and children Antony and Susie to play an active part in the charity’s fundraising initiative on 30 June, 1 amp; 2 July. The family are planning a series of bike events – including a canal ride, intermediate ride and the 30 mile ride taking in the famous ‘crag’ (the longest continuous climb in England) – and are hoping to encourage more people to get on their bikes and raise money for the NSPCC.

Deborah Hardwick, community appeals manager, said: “We need people to set up every kind of sponsored bike ride from small family outings around the local park to events involving hundreds of cyclists. If you don’t own a bike then why not clock up some miles on the exercise bike in your local gym? Maybe your aerobics class could do a sponsored spin, or your football team could have a sponsored training session – on two wheels. As long as you’re on a bike, you’re on the Big Bike Ride. Everyone, young and old, can get involved and do their bit to end cruelty to children. Every penny counts so please join us in pedalling up the pounds for the NSPCC.”

Liz Kay, chairman of the NSPCC Rochdale Branch, said: “I hope that the efforts of Carole and her family will inspire others in the local community to organise their own bike rides for the charity. Regardless of age, fitness, ability or the speed of your bike, the emphasis over the weekend is to have fun and help make a difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in the local area and beyond.”

Thanks to support from volunteers, donors and partners, the NSPCC is able to help children and young people in Greater Manchester through a range of services and projects. The NSPCC Child Protection Helplines provide free advice, counselling and information to children and young people, and anyone who thinks that a child may be at risk. In 2005 the Helplines received around 2,119 calls from people in the Greater Manchester area.

Please phone Deborah Hardwick on 0161 3049815 for a free Big Bike Ride organiser pack.