Goodwood bikers keep helicopter flying

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Mountain bikers are gearing up for a mammoth ride around Goodwood Country Park to help raise much-needed funds for the Sussex Air Ambulance.

 

Serious and fun riders alike are saddling up for the annual Goodwood Spring Challenge on April 25.

 

Around 200 cyclists took part in last year's event but organisers are hoping to boost the numbers.

 

Most of the cash raised will go to the life-saving Sussex Air Ambulance which needs £1.7m-a-year to stay airborne.

 

The charity, which receives no Government funding, was chosen by the Spring Challenge Committee of the Rotary Club of Chichester Priory.

 

Committee chairman John Watkins said: "It's a professional and recognised charity working in Sussex and it does a wonderful job. It's an excellent and worthy cause.

 

"We think the crew are absolutely magnificent in what they do and I do wonder sometimes why it is not totally funded by the authorities.

 

"In the crowded island on which we live it is essential to have this fast, professional and precise application of care."

 

The Goodwood Spring Challenge course includes four circuits, each measuring 5.7 miles, so the fittest riders can pedal a maximum 23 miles.

 

Junior competitors can complete two circuits, totaling four miles, while there is also a Grand Vets category for cyclists aged over 50.

 

Since last April, the Sussex Air Ambulance has flown 546 missions including 84 accidents involving sport and leisure such as mountain bike riding.

 

Last month, keen cyclist Bruce English was airlifted to hospital by the crew with face and arm injuries after crashing during a race.

 

Delaine Shearman, West Sussex fundraiser for the Sussex Air Ambulance, praised the Rotarians for picking the charity.

 

She said: "It's fantastic that they are supporting us and very apt that it is a mountain bike challenge as we are often called to assist many cyclists, especially on the Downs.

 

"We really value their support and cannot run this vital service without support from groups like this.

 

She added: 'A lot of people wrongly believe we are part of the NHS and other emergency services because of the nature of what we do but we don't get that type of funding."

 

The rest of the money raised will go towards the £40,000 cost of sending Angmering schoolgirl Sophie Nugent to America for an operation to help her walk. The four-year-old has celebral palsy.

 

If you would like to join the 2010 Goodwood Spring Challenge, call Doug Price on 01243 527739 or visit www.goodwoodsc.com for details and entry forms.

 

To become a volunteer to help raise much-needed funds for the Sussex Air Ambulance, call Delaine on 07738 486633.