A NEW sponsorship deal clinched by Kendal Cycling Club (KCC) is set to provide a big boost to the whole South Lakeland community as well as the club itself.

The sponsorship, which comes from iwoca, one of Europe’s largest small business lenders, includes investment of up to £12,000 over a two year period.

And the money will enable KCC to promote cycling in Kendal and the surrounding South Lakes area and also invest in local projects, such as accessible forms of cycling or a bursary for young riders with plans to compete at a higher level.

“We believe that the partnership with iwoca will hugely benefit the club,” said KCC chair Iain Childs.

"But the biggest benefit is the funding from iwoca which will help the club achieve some of its aims and objectives."

The partnership also offers small business owners and their staff a year’s free membership of the club.

Kendal CC was only launched in 2015 but has rapidly increased its membership, which currently stands at an incredible 680 cyclists.

Now affiliated to British Cycling, it is continuing to grow rapidly and is now involved in all types of competitive and non-competitive cycling from road, track and triathlon to mountain biking, time trials and cycle cross.

James Maddison, sponsorships lead at iwoca, said the organisation was delighted to promote the club and the sport.

"We want business owners to thrive and believe cycling is the perfect sport to help them keep physically fit, mentally healthy and connected with their local communities and business networks,” he said.

KCC member Andy Taylor, founder of the Anything Technical ski shop in Kendal, said cycling with the club was a great way to not only keep fit to relieve the stress of running a business and he was pleased to see the club get a chance to develop its activities.

“Don't get me wrong, I love my work, but work can be hard and can be stressful,” said Mr Taylor.

“You don’t generally get stressed on your bike.

"Cycling, for me, is one of the biggest parts of my life – it is my freedom.”

“I've been a member of Kendal Cycling Club now for three years.

“We are now approaching 700 members, which in three to four years is unbelievable.

"On a Saturday, for example, there may be up to a hundred people turn up for the Saturday morning ride and there's many different abilities.”

For more information about the free membership, visit www.kendal.cc/iwoca.