Diss Cyclathon event wins national volunteering award with cycling charity

By Victoria Heywood
Wednesday, 10 October 2018
Alan Franks of Diss Cyclathon picks up the award
An annual cycling event in Diss, Norfolk, has won the ‘Best Cycling Event’ category at national cycling charity Cycling UK’s Volunteer of the Year Awards, announced on Saturday

Diss Cyclathon is an annual one-day cycling event in June that takes over the small market town of Diss with fun for all ages.

It’s been running for three years, and every year it’s become bigger and better – but the main aim remains the same; to show everyone the joys of cycling in the Norfolk and Suffolk countryside at its most beautiful. All profits from the event are distributed to local charities and other cycling organisations.

Just last year, donations from the Cyclathon paid for every paper boy and girl to have a free bike service and new safety kit in anticipation of the winter weather. The money was also used to help a local cyclist and his disabled son afford an upgrade for his damaged bike. This year, Diss Cyclathon donated some of their funds to the East Anglian Air Ambulance Charity.

Alan Franks of Diss Cyclathon said "We were delighted and very surprised that Diss Cyclathon was named Best Cycling Event.

“The event runs annually and tries to celebrate everything that’s great about cycling in Norfolk and Suffolk, getting hundreds of riders, young and old, out on their bikes in the beautiful countryside around Diss.

“That Cycling UK had even heard about us was quite amazing. That they felt we deserved an award like this is truly humbling and it means so much to all the team and volunteers that make Diss Cyclathon happen."

Alex Cuppleditch, Head of Volunteering at Cycling UK said: “The team behind Diss Cyclathon have used an accessible and thoughtfully run cycling event to showcase the beauty of their local environment and give back to the community. The award is well deserved, and we look forward to the next year’s ride!”

Notes to editors

  1. Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do. Over a century’s experience tells us that cycling is more than useful transport; it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone. www.cyclinguk.org
  2. Cycling UK's Volunteer of the Year Awards are given annually to recognise and celebrate all the incredible work volunteers do to encourage others to start cycling and keep cycling. This year’s winners were announced at Cycling UK’s Big Bike Celebration in Harrogate on Saturday 6 October. There were ten categories this year. For more information, visit https://www.cyclinguk.org/about/volunteers-year-awards
  3. Images of this year’s winners can be found here: https://www.skyfish.com/p/cyclinguk/1328674
  4. More information on Diss Cyclethon can be found on its website: http://www.disscyclathon.org/

 

Press contact information

For more information, interview requests and images contact the national Cycling UK Press Office on 01483 238 315, 07786 320 713 or email [email protected]

Volunteering for Cycling UK

Further reading