David Lloyd North West Cycle Challenge

DAVID LLOYD LEISURE CLUBS GEAR UP FOR INAUGURAL

'LE NORTH WEST' CYCLE CHALLENGE IN AID OF CHARITY

David Lloyd Leisure clubs will be notching up miles and pounds for charity by staging a 'Le North West' cycle challenge on Sunday, August 10.

Hot on the heels of the Tour de France, team members working for Europe's leading health, sports and leisure group in the region will pedal a distance of almost 100 miles (160km), starting and finishing at David Lloyd Cheadle and taking in six other David Lloyd Clubs along the way - Warrington, Speke, Knowsley, Chorley, Bolton and Manchester.

The participating clubs, along with supporting David Lloyd Clubs at Nottingham, West Bridgford and Derby, will be trying to raise as much money as possible for Together for Short Lives, the group's national charity partner.

The challenge kicks off at David Lloyd Cheadle in Royal Crescent, Cheadle Royal, Cheadle at 7am on Sunday, August 10.

Sports manager at David Lloyd Cheadle, Gareth Beard, said: “We've been really inspired by the amazing Tour de France and there are many keen cyclists amongst us, so we wanted to harness this enthusiasm and raise much-needed funds for our national charity partner, which supports children's hospices all over the UK.

“Team members from ten clubs in the region will be supporting the challenge and we're all competing with each other to see who can raise the most money for this great cause. We're all raring to go!”

Nick Appleby, corporate fundraiser at Together for Short Lives, said: “The 'Le North West' cycle challenge is a great idea and another example of the fantastic enthusiasm and support we have received from everyone at David Lloyd Leisure. We are delighted to have their continued support, which makes a huge difference to local children's hospice services right across the UK.”

To give a donation, please visit www.justgiving.com/7clubchallenge

Photo caption: Team members at David Lloyd Cheadle get ready for the Le North West cycle challenge

ENDS

Note to editors: For further information about this press release, contact the David Lloyd Leisure press office on 01707 289833/4 or email press@davidlloyd.co.uk.

About David Lloyd Leisure Group

The David Lloyd Leisure Group operates 81 clubs in the UK and a further 10 clubs across Europe, comprising David Lloyd Clubs , Harbour Clubs and Next Generation, plus the new high street concept, David Lloyd Studio, in Islington, Putney and Winchester. It has over 440,000 members and employs 6,000 people. This includes an expert health and fitness team of over 1,800, while it contracts the services of more than 400 tennis professionals. Across all clubs, David Lloyd Leisure has over 150 swimming pools (of which half are indoor) and offers over 10,000 exercise classes per week. Every week 20,000 children learn to swim at David Lloyd Leisure and 12,500 learn to play tennis. Its racquets facilities are unparalleled with 800 tennis courts as well as 180 badminton courts and 140 squash courts. Additional facilities include health and beauty spas, club lounges with free internet access, crèches, nurseries and specialist sports shops.

About Together for Short Lives

Together for Together for Short Lives is the leading charity for UK children's palliative care. We support those who help, love and care for children and young people who are unlikely to reach adulthood. We work with children's hospices and a range of other services across the country to ensure that every child, young person and their family has the best possible care and support whenever and wherever they need it. From the moment of diagnosis, for whatever life holds, we help to ensure families make the most of their precious time together. Visit www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk for more information.