Fifty amateur cyclists ride from London to Les Herbiers for international children’s charity

leigh howardInternational charity Right to Play has declared its annual ride the Tour de France a spectacular success, with fifty riders covering 350 miles in four days to arrive in time for the start of the race. Accompanying the riders was Right to Play ambassador, former England Rugby star Andy Gomersall; HTC-Highroad riders Chloe Hosking and Leigh Howard joined for the final day’s ride. On arrival, the group of riders had the chance to meet six-time green jersey winner Erik Zabel before picking their spot to watch the Tour stage finish.

“Right To Play’s Ride to the Tour was a fantastic experience,” said Gomersall. “Myself and the other riders had to push ourselves but it was a great few days in aid of a brilliant cause. See you next year.”

So far the ride has raised £70,000 and is set to beat the target of £100,000.

“This will give 4,000 children access to regular Right to Play programmes that promote education, health, peace and life skills in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world,” the Right to Play statement reads.

Right to Play is supported by the HTC-Highroad team and Specialized Bicycles, with a list of Athlete Ambassadors that includes riders like Mark Cavendish. The 2012 Ride to the Tour is already being organised; more details can be found by contacting cycling@righttoplay.com.

About Right To Play
Right To Play is an international humanitarian organisation that uses sport and play programmes to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. Working in both the humanitarian and development context, Right To Play builds local capacity by training community leaders as coaches to deliver its programmes in 20 countries affected by war, poverty, and disease in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America.