IMG Challenger World Events, organisers of the Macmillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia, have today announced that funds raised by the event have now smashed through the £1 million barrier, and continue to climb.
Meanwhile, expressions of interest in the 2012 event continue to pour in from keen cyclists across the globe, as participants eagerly await the release of entries for the next event which is scheduled to take place on May 13th 2012 in Highland Perthshire.
Says a spokesperson: “Etape Caledonia was the first cycling event on closed roads in the UK and continues to be the biggest, with the growth in closed road sportives expected to increase over coming years.
“Since the event was founded in 2007 with only 1,000 participants, Etape Caledonia now attracts around 5,000 cyclists and their families to the Highland Perthshire area every year, pouring millions into the local economy in the process.”
Amy Whiteley, event director, IMG Challenger World, said “We are absolutely delighted with the news that our title partner Macmillan Cancer Support have now broken through the £1million fundraising barrier, and with more funds expected to come in over the coming weeks that figure is sure to climb further still.
“Feedback from cyclists and local businesses this year has been very positive once again and we’re very much looking forward to returning on Sunday 13th May 2012, once again giving our participants the opportunity to enjoy the magnificence of Highland Perthshire on safe, traffic free roads.”
Local hotelier and businessperson, Richard Drummond, echoed Ms Whiteley’s comments: “Having operated hospitality businesses in Pitlochry for the past ten years, Etape Caledonia has developed into one of the biggest, exciting and most rewarding weekends in the calendar.
“The buzz created in and around the town is unique and no other single event is capable of doing this.
“In McKays, I had the opportunity to speak to so many cyclists coming in for that well deserved pint, after their toils on the road. They come from every part of the British Isles. Every single cyclist is so enthusiastic about the event, the hospitality and the beauty of the area. They take this message far and wide.”
Charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support, who had over 1,500 fundraisers participating in the 2011 event, confirmed that their fundraising total for 2011 had already reached £230,000, taking the total raised by the charity’s association with the event to £1.13 million.
With fundraising money still coming in over the next two months the final figure is expected to climb further.
Tris Jones, Biking Events coordinator for Macmillan, said: “Macmillan Cancer Support is delighted at the level of support for this year’s Etape Caledonia.
“To date, we have raised over £1.13 million for people affected by cancer.
“This incredible total will be used to continue providing our wide range of services to help not only people affected by cancer, but everyone their cancer has an impact on, from partners, to children, to friends and carers.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone for their support and hard work so, from Macmillan: Thank You.”
Meanwhile, for those participants who have firmly caught the cycling bug and can’t wait another year, IMG Challenger World will be staging a second closed road cycling event, Sky Ride Etape Hibernia, in County Clare, Ireland on August 21st this year.
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