Etape Caledonia marks Great Daffodil Appeal
Press release published
As Marie Curie's biggest annual fundraising campaign, the Great Daffodil Appeal launches today (1 March), organisers of Etape Caledonia, the UK's original closed-roads sportive, are urging riders not to miss out on the opportunity to sign up for charity places with Team Marie Curie, the event's official charity partner.
Charity places are still available for the Limelight Sports event which takes place on Sunday 19 May 2019, in Highland Perthshire.
By cycling for Team Marie Curie, participants will be enabling Marie Curie Nurses to continue to provide essential care to people living with a terminal illness, and vital emotional support to their loved ones.
Team Marie Curie charity places start at £24.99 for a 40-mile place (£150 minimum sponsorship); for an 85-mile place there's a £59.99 registration fee (£350 minimum sponsorship).
The 85-mile Gold Bond option includes a range of premium benefits with a £59.99 registration fee (£650 minimum sponsorship).
The successful partnership, which is now in its 11th year, has seen Marie Curie receive £1.6million from the event and organisers hope 2019's Etape Caledonia will raise a further £80,000 for the charity.
With under three months until the event, organisers Limelight Sports are looking forward to seeing many charity riders out on the roads around Highland Perthshire raising money for an important cause. Craig Dews, CEO at Limelight Sports, said:
As Marie Curie's Great Daffodil Appeal launches this month, we are urging riders not to miss out on the opportunity to support this hugely worthwhile cause by registering for a charity place and raising much needed funds. The work that this charity does is inspiring and we hope their efforts will motivate people to get on their bike in Highland Perthshire on 19 May at Etape Caledonia.
Helen Stevens, Marie Curie Senior Project Manager for Etape Caledonia, said:
As the official charity partner for Etape Caledonia, we hope cyclists from across the UK will be inspired to get pedalling for team Marie Curie and raise vital funds for families living with terminal illness.
Launching today, this year's Great Daffodil Appeal offers people the opportunity to donate and wear a daffodil this month to support Marie Curie. Everyone deserves the care and support they need at the end of their life. Behind every daffodil there's a story and, by wearing a daffodil, people can show their support.
The Etape Caledonia was the UK's first and original closed-roads event when it was launched in 2007. Limelight is encouraging past participants to get back in the saddle on May 19 to pedal Perthshire on an 85-mile and 40-mile closed-roads circuit that takes in some of Scotland's most stunning landscapes.
Participants wishing to register for Etape Caledonia and raise money for Marie Curie should visit etapecaledonia.co.uk
Notes to editor
ETAPE CALEDONIA FAST FACTS:
Founded: 2007.
Distances: 85 Mile and 40 Mile Routes.
Total Ascent: 1,949m.
Charity Donations Raised by Participants: Over £2.5million, including £1.6 million for Marie Curie
Location: Around Highland Perthshire, starting and finishing in Pitlochry.
Event Capacity: 5500 cyclists.
ABOUT ETAPE CALEDONIA
Background: The UK's first and only closed-roads mass participation cycling event, Etape Caledonia has attracted more than 35,000 people since it debuted in 2007. With over 5,000 places on offer each year, this sell out event attracts riders from all over the country to take on one of the most breathtaking rides through the spectacular Highlands Perthshire countryside. The event appeals to cycle club enthusiasts, recreational cyclists, gym members and those looking for a new physical challenge in the stunning Highland Perthshire area. www.etapecaledonia.co.uk
Route: This year's event has two distances for you to choose from:
85 mile route: 85 miles of closed-roads cycling beginning and concluding in Pitlochry. The course consists of rolling hills and forest-lined roads around Loch Rannoch and Loch Tummel, combined with the demanding, twisting climb of Mt Schiehallion (1,083m).
40 mile route: A 40 mile option of closed-roads cycling beginning in Pitlochry. The course will take you left away from the 85 mile route at Loch Tummel and then South towards Coshieville, round to Aberfeldy before you finish back in Pitlochry.
The Event Village: Participants can make the most of their event weekend and soak up the festival atmosphere in Etape Caledonia's new and improved Event Village. Throughout the weekend enjoy locally sourced food and drink and live music. The Event Village is open to all riders, their supporters and spectators all weekend.
ABOUT THE GREAT DAFFODIL APPEAL
The Great Daffodil Appeal is Marie Curie's biggest annual fundraising campaign and encourages everyone to give a donation in return for a daffodil pin during March. Money raised helps Marie Curie care for people living with a terminal illness, as well as supporting their families. Daffodil pins are available from volunteers across the country and in Superdrug and Spar stores. For more information, call 0800 304 7025 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil
ABOUT MARIE CURIE - care and support through terminal illness
Marie Curie is the UK's leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance.
Marie Curie employs more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, and with its nine hospices around the UK, is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS. www.mariecurie.org.uk
ABOUT LIMELIGHT SPORTS
With over 25 years' industry experience, Limelight Sports is a leading global participation sport agency - the agency of the Active World.
Limelight Sports works with major, world-leading brands such as Nike and J.P.Morgan using its extensive knowledge of the positive impact of sport and activity to engage their audiences through active experiences and campaigns. It has created and delivered some of the highest profile live events including the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile, Sky Ride and J.P.Morgan Corporate Challenge London and Sydney. Limelight Sports also organises Swimathon, the world's biggest fundraising swimming challenge. www.limelightsports.com