BUSINESSES have come forward in force to help put shirts on the backs of a team of fundraising cyclists as they gear up for a marathon challenge.

The Champion Group, based in Wella Road, Basingstoke, has chosen to support Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) as its charity of the year, and the community-focused company is bidding to raise as much money as possible in 2023.

One of the fundraising feats will take things to a new level as a group of cyclists are gearing up to take on a mammoth 154-mile one-day cycle - known as the Hampshire Loopy - on Friday, August 18.

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The company and fundraisers appealed to firms to sponsor the riders by paying for company logos to go on the cyclists’ shirts – and the response has been amazing.

Kevin Croombs, group accountant at the construction industry company, said: “We are delighted that more than 20 local companies have come forward to support the riders – each pledging at least £200 of sponsorship support – and we have now sold all the sponsor places on the shirt.

“So far, the riders – who all have fundraising pages – have attracted more than £5,300 of support, which is outstanding.”

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Kevin added: “HIOWAA deliver their life-saving service for free across the two counties so our keen cyclists, led by Adam Chandler, who is Champion Homes contracts manager, wanted to cover the same area on two wheels.

“The riders will set off from the Champion Group offices in Basingstoke on August 18 and will go the 154-mile distance, taking in a stop off at HIOWAA’s base in Thruxton.

“Our riders are experienced cyclists but they will really be pushing their bodies to the limit for this challenge. We hope they will be well supported as HIOWAA relies entirely on donations and does not receive any Government funding.”

Kevin and Mark Jones, partnerships manager at Destination Basingstoke, will be providing back up support for the riders.

Kevin said: “We are looking forward to seeing the cycling shirts with all the sponsor company logos on them. They will look great and will literally show off the range of great support from local businesses.”

Anyone who wants to find out more, or sponsor the individual riders, can go to thechampiongroup.co.uk/hampshire-loopy.

The team have also received great support from Fyffes, in Basingstoke, as the company will be providing them with bananas to help keep them fed and fuelled.