A GROUP of prominent Shropshire businessmen will be cycling through Oswestry, Ellesmere and Whitchurch next month when they take on the second North Shropshire Cycle Challenge in aid of the county’s Hope House Children’s Hospice.

The Shropshire club has supported Hope House for more than a decade and already raised £440,000 to help provide vital care for terminally ill local children and their families.

The money is raised is mainly through an annual black tie ball and auction but, for the past two years, the club has also organised the North Shropshire Cycle Challenge.

With a choice of 35 or 85 miles winding through the county’s country lanes from Market Drayton to Newport, Wem, Hope House at Oswestry, Ellesmere and Whitchurch, the inaugural event attracted more than 200 entrants and raised over £12,000.

This year the club is hoping for even more support for the event – which begins at the Grove School in Market Drayton at 7.30am on Sunday, June 9.

Club chairman Mark Charman said: “We had a terrific turnout last year and this year we are hoping that greater awareness of the ride will encourage even more people to take part.

"It’s a fantastic day out, with free snack stations and cheer squads in every town, and a really superb flattish route!”

One sight to look out for will be club member Shaun Dixon who has auctioned the back seat on his tandem for the 36 mile ride. The lucky bidder was the chair of Hope House Board of Trustees Steve Henly who donated £1,500 for the best seat at the event.

To sign up for a place please visit www.shropshirecycleride.com and to sponsor Jeremy visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/j-lamond1