Great Kent Bike Ride

South of England Rare Breeds Centre

Great Kent Bike Ride

12th June 2011

On Sunday 12th June a record number of 972 riders took part in the 4th Great Kent Bike Ride in aid of Canterbury Oast Trust and Rare Breeds Centre!

The riders set off on one of the 3 great routes leaving from Ashford North Park which take in some of the most beautiful parts of the Kent countryside. The 5 mile family route made use of Ashford’s cycle paths while the 35 mile set off to Ivychurch before returning to Ashford through the pretty villages of Appledore and Wittersham. More confident cyclists joined the 60 mile route which took riders down towards Dungeness then back to Ashford via Lydd and Tenterden. Cyclists were able to make a great day of it by stopping off for a well earned break at one of the 8 Shepherd Neame pubs signposted along the route.

Riders have pledged an amazing £20,000 towards our work providing homes, care and training for people with learning and physical disabilities.

We have some brilliant regular teams and individuals who take part like Powell Publishing and Anne Cragg and we were delighted to welcome “Team Sammy” once again - who have taken part in every Great Kent Bike Ride! Each year Team Sammy  raise a tremendous amount and this year’s efforts may take them over £20,000 in sponsorship raised during the past 4 years for our farm. Our huge thanks go to Team Sammy led by Carl and Clare Bennett.

…..and thank you to all of the riders who took part and for their tireless efforts in raising sponsorship for us to help us continue our work with people with learning disabilities.

We are extremely grateful also to our kind sponsors of the event Nusteel Holdings plc and Shepherd Neame and would like to thank Ashford Borough Council for being so very supportive of the event. 

You can still sponsor one of our riders by clicking here or by contacting the fundraising office on 01233 861493 x241.