London: Cyclists gearing up for Pedal Against Poverty!

Cyclists from all over the Greater London area, including Hertfordshire and Essex, are expected to gear up on Sunday, 7 June, for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development's (CAFOD) annual Pedal Against Poverty sponsored cycle ride in the Lee Valley Country Park.

Now in its ninth year, Pedal Against Poverty aims to raise money for CAFOD's poverty-fighting work throughout the world. The ride will once again follow a scenic route alongside the River Lee, which straddles the Hertfordshire/Essex boundary. Participants ride either a 19 mile return route or a shorter 10 mile return route, with all gathering at the midway point in Broxbourne for a community picnic at lunchtime.

With both 10 and 19 miles rides available, riders of all ages and abilities are welcome, so the whole family can enjoy a fun and healthy day out.

As well as helping to raise money for CAFOD's work with developing communities around the world, this year's Pedal Against Poverty aims to draw attention to the need for everyone to make commitments to tackling climate change in their daily lives. Cyclists can take some time out to appreciate the abundant greenery and wildlife of the Lee Valley country park, and help CAFOD get the message out about environmental awareness with an eco-friendly cycle ride.

Participants can register online at: www.pedalagainstpoverty2015.eventbrite.co.uk or contact CAFOD Westminster on 0208 449 6970 or westminster@cafod.org.uk for more information.

Riders will be aiming to raise money to continue to make a difference for the communities with whom CAFOD works. In 2014 more than 160 people turned up to show support for Pedal Against Poverty and raised over £10,000, enough to provide safe, clean water to over 13 communities.

"Through fundraising for CAFOD, people are giving communities an opportunity to work their own way out of poverty" said CAFOD Regional Manager Tony Sheen, "Events like Pedal Against Poverty enable us to make this happen. For example, just £127 can help set a family up with a beekeeping starter kit including 60,000 bees, a beehive and protective clothing. Projects like this can provide a family with a sustainable income."

As well as helping to raise money for CAFOD's work with developing communities around the world, this year's Pedal Against Poverty aims to draw attention to the need for all of us to make commitments to tackling climate change in our daily lives.

Climate change is the single biggest threat facing CAFOD's work with people trying to make their own way out of poverty. That is why CAFOD supporters in every constituency in England and Wales have been urging their MPs to take action to stop climate change, as part of our One Climate, One World campaign. Find out more at: www.cafod.org.uk/Campaign