A SPONSORED cycling event aimed at raising funds for two Corbridge-based charities will set off from the village next Friday.

The Corbridge Depart has been organised to raise funds for Charlotte Straker and Corbridge Youth Initiative, with participants offered the chance to take part in a 37-mile or 70-mile route.

Both legs will begin at ActivCycles on Watling Street, Corbridge, before taking a tour of Tynedale tea rooms.

“The longer route takes in 17 tea rooms, but we’re not envisaging that cyclists will choose to stop at every single one for a cup of tea and a scone, because it might take a little while!” said chairman of trustees at Charlotte Straker and retired village GP, Bill Cunningham.

“A group of us did a sponsored cycle from the Isle of Iona, in the Inner Hebrides, back to Corbridge a few years ago,” said Bill.

The group of veteran cyclists from the village covered 320 miles and raised almost £10,000 for Charlotte Straker in the process.

“We’ve been meeting every Friday to cycle ever since,” said Bill.

“And over the years the group has grown, but it was Bob Eldridge from the village, who really came up with the idea for this event and has driven it forward.”

The first part of the route will take in East Wallhouses, Matfen, Newburn, Wylam, Horsley and Prudhoe.

Cyclists completing the whole 70 miles can continue on to Broomley, Slaley, Hexham, Wall, Chollerford, Warden and then back to Corbridge.

“Charlotte Straker and the Youth Intiative working together reaches all of our supporters, young and old, and adds value to everything we do,” said Bill.

“We call ourselves Better Together in joint enterprises.”

For more information about the event, visit www.charlottestraker.org.uk