A Cheshire man is cycling 4,000km across Europe later this week to raise money for Christian relief and development agency Tearfund’s work to lift people out of extreme poverty.
The Transcontinental Race will challenge Chris Spray, 47, from Kelsall as he crosses from Bulgaria to France in the fastest time possible. Chris will be alongside the 262 riders who completed a thorough application process to take part in the cross continent race, which is the equivalent to riding up Mount Everest five times.
‘This is a challenge not to be taken lightly,’ Chris says. ‘Only half of those that start actually finish the race and it takes phenomenal stamina – sixteen hours a day on a bicycle.’
He aims to complete the race within 15 days and has set this challenge to see what his body is capable of.
Chris was moved into action when he came across the inspiring story of Ruth from Nigeria. Ruth’s children used to beg for food. ‘Everything seemed hopeless,’ she says. Christian relief and development agency Tearfund ran a course where Ruth and others were taught better farming methods. A simple crop of beans has made all the difference – now she can feed her family. ‘Everything has changed,’ says Ruth. ‘It’s so exciting!’
Chris has been training since October 2018, regularly cycling 200 miles a day and completing the North Coast 500 scenic cycle route around Scotland over three days. His sponsorship efforts have raised over £600 so far.
‘Every £72 I raise could help someone like Ruth to receive training to feed and provide for their family’, Chris says.
Tearfund is passionate about empowering people like Ruth so they can step into more hopeful futures. The charity works in some of the poorest countries in the world, coming alongside communities to help them develop long-term solutions to their problems.
To donate to Chris’ fundraising efforts, go to virginmoneygiving.com/Chrisspray
For more information about Tearfund go to www.tearfund.org
ENDS
Photos:
Chris Spray from Cheshire with a banner promoting the charities he’s raising money for on the cycle race.
Notes to editors:
For further information, or to request an interview, please contact Oliver Needham, Tearfund PR & Media Officer, oliver.needham@tearfund.org.
Chris will be available for interviews on Wednesday 24th July via telephone.
About the Transcontinental Race
The Transcontinental Race is a self-supported bicycle race across Europe for solo riders and pairs.
The 2019 race will be the 7th edition of the event and starts on Saturday 27th July. The start is in Burgas, Bulgaria with riders finishing in Brest, France.
www.transcontinental.cc
About Tearfund
Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency and a member of the Disasters’ Emergency Committee. Founded in 1968, Tearfund has been working around the world for over 50 years responding to disasters and helping lift communities out of poverty. Tearfund works through the church and other locally-based organisations, to help communities overcome the worst effects of poverty and disasters to reach their full potential.
www.tearfund.org
The Transcontinental Race will challenge Chris Spray, 47, from Kelsall as he crosses from Bulgaria to France in the fastest time possible. Chris will be alongside the 262 riders who completed a thorough application process to take part in the cross continent race, which is the equivalent to riding up Mount Everest five times.
‘This is a challenge not to be taken lightly,’ Chris says. ‘Only half of those that start actually finish the race and it takes phenomenal stamina – sixteen hours a day on a bicycle.’
He aims to complete the race within 15 days and has set this challenge to see what his body is capable of.
Chris was moved into action when he came across the inspiring story of Ruth from Nigeria. Ruth’s children used to beg for food. ‘Everything seemed hopeless,’ she says. Christian relief and development agency Tearfund ran a course where Ruth and others were taught better farming methods. A simple crop of beans has made all the difference – now she can feed her family. ‘Everything has changed,’ says Ruth. ‘It’s so exciting!’
Chris has been training since October 2018, regularly cycling 200 miles a day and completing the North Coast 500 scenic cycle route around Scotland over three days. His sponsorship efforts have raised over £600 so far.
‘Every £72 I raise could help someone like Ruth to receive training to feed and provide for their family’, Chris says.
Tearfund is passionate about empowering people like Ruth so they can step into more hopeful futures. The charity works in some of the poorest countries in the world, coming alongside communities to help them develop long-term solutions to their problems.
To donate to Chris’ fundraising efforts, go to virginmoneygiving.com/Chrisspray
For more information about Tearfund go to www.tearfund.org
ENDS
Photos:
Chris Spray from Cheshire with a banner promoting the charities he’s raising money for on the cycle race.
Notes to editors:
For further information, or to request an interview, please contact Oliver Needham, Tearfund PR & Media Officer, oliver.needham@tearfund.org.
Chris will be available for interviews on Wednesday 24th July via telephone.
About the Transcontinental Race
The Transcontinental Race is a self-supported bicycle race across Europe for solo riders and pairs.
The 2019 race will be the 7th edition of the event and starts on Saturday 27th July. The start is in Burgas, Bulgaria with riders finishing in Brest, France.
www.transcontinental.cc
About Tearfund
Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency and a member of the Disasters’ Emergency Committee. Founded in 1968, Tearfund has been working around the world for over 50 years responding to disasters and helping lift communities out of poverty. Tearfund works through the church and other locally-based organisations, to help communities overcome the worst effects of poverty and disasters to reach their full potential.
www.tearfund.org
