Get On Your Bike And Support Safe And Sound

Get On Your Bike And Support Safe And Sound

Specialist Derbyshire charity Safe and Sound are hosting a virtual cycle ride to raise money needed to help them support more young people across the county who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation.

Everyone signing up and donating to the charity will receive details of an easy to follow and cycle-friendly circular 11-mile route taking in five Derby parks - Markeaton Park, Darley Park, Bass Recreation Ground, Alvaston Park and West End Park (Markeaton Recreation Ground) before working back to the start.

They can then do the planned-out route whenever they want and at their own pace, either in one day or in stages.

The ride information pack also highlights the parks’ history and interesting landmarks to look out for on the way.

Sponsorship forms and online giving are available for those wishing to raise further money for the charity and everyone who completes the challenge will receive a certificate.

Money raised will go to the charity’s Butterfly Appeal which was set up a year ago to help transform the lives of children, young people and their families across Derbyshire whose lives are affected by child exploitation.  This includes sexual exploitation, County Lines, trafficking and modern slavery.

Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison explained: “We have put fundraising on the backburner during lockdown to concentrate all our efforts on supporting young people and their families.

“Now, with restrictions gradually easing and everybody able to get out and about more, we were keen to find an outdoor event that would be suitable for all the family to enjoy together in a safe and socially distanced way.

“I hope that the Five Park Ride will encourage people of all ages and cycling abilities to enjoy the wonderful parkland that we are lucky enough to have on the doorstep in the city and support the work of our charity at the same time.”

She continued: “Young people have been particularly vulnerable to online grooming during lockdown and our work has focused on supporting a large number of young people and their families in a number of different ways.

“Moving forwards, we know that these and many more young people will be in even greater danger of being targeted by perpetrators who are looking to take online grooming to the next stage or manipulate young people into criminal activity.

“Everyone joining this event and supporting our work will therefore help us to make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people across our local communities.”

For more information about how to join the Five Park Ride and support the work of Safe and Sound, please visit https://safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/what-you-can-do/cycle/

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