Saddled-up for £50,000 fund-raising cycle tour
Former Saints and England rugby player Jon Sleightholme is planning to cycle nearly 1,000 miles across Europe to help raise more than £50,000 for Autism Concern.
The former winger, who played 12 times for England, has launched a Twin Towns Cycle Challenge that will see him and 11 colleagues pedal from the Northampton charity's offices in Wellingborough Road to Poitiers in France and then Marburg in Germany at the end of July.
Mr Sleightholme, who is president of Autism Concern, said: "There was only one thing for it and that was to lead by example. The service that Autism Concern provides in the county is absolutely fantastic. Doing nothing has never been an option. The challenge has really evolved and captured the imagination of quite a few of my colleagues, who want to get involved in helping to raise funds too.
"Autism Concern needs to raise 150,000 this year to get back on its feet, and our team is totally committed to raising at least 50,000, which would make a healthy dent in the overall target.
"Obviously, if we can inspire other people to get involved in fundraising for the charity along the way, that would be amazing. We have some terrific fund- raising plans in the pipeline to tie in with the Twin Towns Challenge, so the next few months leading to our departure promise to be very eventful."
In October last year, following a decrease in donations and grants, Autism Concern formerly known as Northamptonshire Society for Autism announced that it was facing closure and would have to cut services if it did not find extra funding.
Since then more than 20,000 has been pledged but the charity needs to raise more than 150,000 to carry on providing services in the county for young people with autism.
The Twin Towns Cycle Challenge was launched at Franklin's Gardens on Wednesday. Anyone wishing to get involved in fund-raising for Autism Concern or being part of the pre Twin Towns Challenge fund-raising activities can contact Jon Sleightholme on 07802 800040.
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