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Norwich Mother’s Union 12,600 mile cycle challenge
 

Norwich Diocese Mothers’ Union launched their ‘Cycle to Horstead’ Challenge at Norwich Celebrate as 90 members will each attempt to cycle 140 miles to raise funds for disadvantaged children to spend time at Horstead Activity Centre. 

Mothers’ Union members in the Norwich Diocese are celebrating the 140th anniversary of their worldwide charity, with a ‘Cycle to Horstead’ Challenge.
  
During the summer 90 members of the Norwich Diocese Mothers’ Union are being encouraged to each cycle a sponsored 140 miles on the road, at special events or on a static exercise bike totalling 12,600 miles between them.  The challenge will raise money for children who miss out on school events due to family poverty, have behavioural issues, suffer from low self-esteem or from bullying at school to attend the Horstead Activity Centre, which is owned and run by the Diocese of Norwich.

Eunice Norwood, from Mothers’ Union Norwich said: ‘To celebrate the anniversary we decided that a project to benefit others would be the best way, not only to have fun ourselves but to give pleasure to disadvantaged youngsters from Norfolk by financing a visit to the Horstead Centre.”  

The project 'Cycle to Horstead' was launched at Celebrate Norwich and Norfolk on Saturday, June 11.  The challenge drew people of all ages to the Mothers' Unon stand to clock up miles on the exercise bike in return for a donation towards the project.  

Eunice said: “91 year old visitor Maisie didn't falter as she rode the bike and MU member Allie McLean (pictured) managed a total of 35 miles towards her goal of 140 miles.  Brothers and sisters became very competitive vying for the highest recorded mileage of the day.”
 
The Mothers Union will be exhibiting at the The Royal Norfolk Show (stand number 286) with their exercise bike so if anyone missed it at Celebrate they can still have a go and support a very worthwhile project.

Money raised will be used to send groups of young people on an adventure visit in 2017 to the Horstead Centre, to experience a range of on-site activities including a purpose built climbing tower with zip wire and bouldering cave, low ropes course with tunnels, a Jacob’s Ladder high wire activity, an archery range and an awesome crate stack activity and many more fun challenges in a safe and caring environment.

The fundraising challenge will close in September when members will experience the Horstead Centre for themselves with a celebratory picnic and a further opportunity to notch up mileage on the exercise bike for those who have missed it at previous venues.

You may like to support the project with a donation which can be sent to Mothers’ Union Office, Diocesan House, 109 Dereham Road, Easton NR9 5ES (cheques to be made out to Mothers’ Union Diocese of Norwich) please write ‘Cycle to Horstead’ on back of cheque to ensure it goes to the project.  

Photo: Allie McLean at Celebrate Norfolk with MU Norfolk president Marguerite Philips