A  PASSION for music therapy has inspired a team of cyclists to embark on a 275-mile journey around the circumference of Cumbria.

Midnight on Thursday, August 20, will see the Challenge 24 riders set off from Whitehaven harbour to raise money so that children and adults with disabilities can receive music therapy from Annie Mawson’s Sunbeams Music Trust.

Last year the trust reached number one in the music charts with Gareth Malone’s celebrity choir for BBC Children in Need.

Sunbeams delivers more than 70 live music therapy workshops in 45 project venues each month, including Kendal’s Sandgate School - transforming the lives of 1,458 children and adults with a wide range of special needs.

The 14 cyclists are planning to make pit stops every four hours at Anthorn, Renwick, near Garsdale Head, Holker and The Hill, near Millom, hopefully returning to Whitehaven harbour before midnight on Friday, August 21.

Paying tribute to the team, Sunbeams founder and chief executive Annie Mawson MBE said that everybody involved with Sunbeams works tirelessly to raise funds and generate pledges.

So great is demand for its community music therapy that, over the past six years, Sunbeams has successfully raised £2 million to build a new music therapy centre at Rheged, Penrith.

The centre will serve the people of Cumbria and offer opportunities for research and training to musicians and health professionals from across the country.

The bike ride around Cumbria by the Challenge 24 team follows on previous adventures, including climbing 21 mountains in 24 hours, and running from Newcastle to Whitehaven in less than 24 hours.  

You can cheer the cyclists on and follow their progress around the county’s 275-mile circumference on the day by visiting www.facebook.com/challenge24sf or following them on Twitter - CHALLENGE24@Challenge24SF.

To make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/Sunbeams24cycle/

A fundraising charity fun day is also to take place at Lowca Rugby Club, near Whitehaven, from 2pm till late on Saturday, August 22.

Attractions will include local bands, bouncy castle, charity auction, raffle and games, with tickets at £5 at the entrance (children free). Organisers would like to thank all the local firms and companies who have given donations.

More details from Paul Seager on 07885-915884 or Steven Fox 07879-6723530.

To find out more about Sunbeams Music Trust visit www.sunbeamsmusic.org