CancerCare launches new smartypants challenge (From The Westmorland Gazette)

CancerCare launches new smartypants challenge

5:12pm Thursday 26th February 2009 in Cancercare By Lizzie Anderson

A CANCER charity that is raising money for a dedicated children and young person’s unit at its Kendal centre is urging people of all ages to get on their bikes and support the cause.

Bike the Bay, Smartypants Challenge is a new CancerCare fundraising event that invites families to take part in a five-mile sponsored bike ride along Morecambe Prom.

The event, which is being held on Easter Saturday, April 11, at 10am, will be rounded off with an Easter Extravaganza of games and treats in Happy Mount Park.

Money raised in sponsorship will be donated to the CancerCare Silver Jubilee Appeal, which aims to raise £2.1million to improve and expand its centre in Slyne Road in Lancaster and build a young person’s unit at Blackhall Road in Kendal.

“We are all really excited about this new event,” said Christine Blease, fundraising manager at CancerCare. “Funds from the Smartypants Challenge will help fund our dedicated children and young people’s services which provide support to young people who are affected by cancer, either because they have cancer themselves, or have a close association with a cancer patient. It is also a way in which we hope to reach a wider audience to make them aware of our services.”

CancerCare is a local charity that provides free emotional, social and psychological support, together with relevant information and practical assistance, to more than 1,500 people in the South Lakes and North Lancashire every year.

Every child who enters the Smartypants challenge will receive a free tube of smarties, which CancerCare hopes will be re-filled with sponsorship once the sweets are eaten.

To enter the challenge visit Halfords in Lancaster and Kendal, Evans Cycles in Kendal, log on to www.bikethebay.org.uk or call 01524 381820 for an application form.