Cyclists come together for 31st Tour de Furness!

The 31st Vattenfall Tour de Furness charity ride saw almost 120 cyclists come together to tackle a brand-new route while raising vital funds for St Mary’s Hospice and other charities.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Furness, the Tour de Furness took place on Sunday 28th June. Cyclists could choose from four scenic routes through the Furness countryside, covering distances of 14, 28, 53 or 74 miles.

The event started from Furness Academy for the first time since its inception in 1995.

Brian Boyd of the Rotary Club of Furness and Event Organiser, said: “We had another fantastic day, and the atmosphere among cyclists, supporters and marshals was incredible. We really couldn’t do this without everyone who takes part, helps organise and volunteers. This event simply couldn’t run without a full team effort.

“Another huge thank you to Furness Academy for allowing us to use the venue; we are incredibly grateful. Everything ran smoothly, and it’s an exciting time for the Tour de Furness as we begin planning future rides. We hope to generate even more interest across the North West and ensure the event is as inclusive, fun and successful as possible.”

The event was founded 31 years ago by the late Bill Bartlett, a member of the Rotary Club of Furness, who was cared for by St Mary’s Hospice during the final part of his life.

Brian added: “The main purpose of the Tour de Furness is to raise funds for charity. We’ve supported St Mary’s Hospice for many years and continue to do so because of the vital work they do.”

The final fundraising total and the prize winners, including the recipient of the Bill Bartlett Memorial Trophy, awarded to the team that raised the most money for charity, will be announced at an official presentation later this year.

Heidi Bowron, Area Fundraiser at St Mary’s Hospice, said: “What an incredible day we had. Every participant should be immensely proud of their achievement. Your determination and enthusiasm were truly inspiring. Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Furness, and thank you for your continued support. We are also incredibly grateful to all the organisations and volunteers whose support helped make the day such a huge success.”