Burnley FC fan’s double charity bike ride

Scott Knowles, a part-time member of staff at Burnley Football Club, hopes to raise more than £5,000 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation over the course of two charity bike rides.

The first leg of his effort is The Lancashire FC’s United Charity Cycle Ride on Sunday, July 13th, a near 70 mile tour of Lancashire’s football grounds.

The ride starts at Turf Moor and will take in the grounds of Accrington Stanley FC, Blackburn Rovers FC, Preston North End FC and Blackpool FC before finishing at the home of Morecambe FC.

Riders on the day are being encouraged to support their team by wearing their colours to ride and as long as the weather holds Scott will be joining them.

He said: “I’ve got an old 1970s style Burnley kit and hopefully I’ll wear that. It’s a great opportunity to raise some money for the charity but also hopefully to foster good relations between the clubs at the same time.”

The race is organised in conjunction with Burnley Football Club, The Football League, Forever Living Products and will split proceeds jointly between the Rosemere Cancer Foundation and Marie Curie Cancer Care. The Foundation provides valuable work and support to local cancer sufferers, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments and ongoing research into improving treatment and patient support.

Anne Sweeney, Rosemere’s Community Fund-raising Co-ordinator, said: “The race is such a fun idea and it’s great because it’s getting our work out to the local people and letting them know that we’re here and about the work we do.”

She added that Scott would be joining a group from Rosemere in the second leg of his journey in November’s Vietnam to Cambodia cycle ride.

Between November 17th and 27th, in 90% humidity and temperatures around 40°C the group will cover a distance of nearly 400km, riding from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Seem Reap in Cambodia, to complete their fund-raising effort.

Miss Sweeney said: “People tell us they find the challenges cathartic and really positive experiences but it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted.”

Anyone eager to sponsor Scott or to take part in either of the rides can contact him on 01282 798852 or by email at [email protected].

You can also sponsor Scott online at www.justgiving.com/scottknowlesrideforlife.