Birthday boy donates to CDF

On an occasion worthy of the friendships made over a span of almost half a century, Alan Belton of North Wales hosted a gathering of friends at a dinner at the Northop Hall Hotel, near Mold, on Sunday 26 January 2014.

Now domiciled in Italy, Alan still retains interests in the UK, and felt that this country was where he wished to celebrate this special milestone in his life.

Reflecting the flavour of the occasion, Alan requested a collection towards a cycling charity. He chose the Cyclists' Defence Fund (CDF), for which the generous sum of £470 was raised.

We are extremely grateful that Alan chose CDF as the recipient of this kind donation.

"CDF relies on donations to fund most of our legal activity. We are therefore extremely grateful that Alan chose CDF as the recipient of this kind donation, which will help us keep fighting for the rights of cyclists."

Rhia Weston, Coordinator of the Cyclists' Defence Fund

Cycling friends from Port Sunlight Wheelers, Deeside Olympic, Wrexham Road Club, Chester Road Club and the Cyclists' Touring Club were represented, with the notable presence also of former British Road Champion, Les West. Now retired, Les started his impressive amateur career with Tunstall Wheelers before turning professional. His best international placing was fourth in the 1970 world road championships at Leicester.

Providing an international flavour, Aldo and Mario Gios of the top drawer Italian cycle manufacturer Girostorino were guests of some distinction. For Alan, the highlight of the evening must surely have been tussling with a well-packaged parcel containing a hand-crafted, custom inscribed, Giostorino bike frame. Clearly immensely proud, he will undoubtedly enjoy many more miles a’wheel under the warm Italian skies.

Generous donation

The Cyclists' Defence Fund is extremely grateful for the kind donation, which will help the charity achieve its aims, which are: to preserve and protect the health and safety of the public by encouraging and facilitating safe cycling; to advance the education of the public in the relationship between cycling and the law; to further the sound development, administration and knowledge of the law relating to cycling; and to promote, assist, undertake and commission research into the law relating to cycling.

CDF provides support in legal cases which could clarify the law relating to cycling and welcomes applications for assistance. Please take a look at the Cyclists' Defence Fund website to find out more about the services the charity provides and the sorts of cases it supports.