* Annual Birmingham to London SACA Charity Bike Ride

The Yearly Challenge – How it all started

SACA, a 100% volunteer charity organisation is the main organiser of the event – that over the years has ensured the need for safety and improvements are met. In 1984 a group of 14 aspiring youths decided to establish a challenge that could help both local and national children’s charities. They considered a number of sporting events that would test both their determination and personal fitness. They also considered the key element of working as a team and supporting each other. The challenge would require endurance, fitness and careful planning. They set the standard for what has now become a yearly summer event lasting 2 days. The Birmingham to London cycle ride now attracts riders from all over the country and international riders each year and involves months of planning and adherence to safety management disciplines.

Raising money for children’s charity

Every year a children’s charity is selected as the ride’s beneficiary. Over the last 32 years the ride has raised in excess of £510,000 in aid of different children’s charity groups. Previous beneficiaries include Barnado’s, NSPCC, Capital FM’s ‘Help a London Child Appeal’, Ealing Hospitals ‘Playground in the Sky Appeal’, Contact a Family, dEBra, Down Syndrome Research Foundation, Scope, Whizz Kidz, SCOPE, Richard House, Children with Leukeamia, WellChild, Rainbow Trust and Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Every year a children’s charity is selected as the ride’s beneficiary.

They set the standard for what has now become a yearly summer event lasting 2 days. The Birmingham to London cycle ride now attracts riders from all over the country and international riders each year and involves months of planning and adherence to safety management disciplines.