People are being urged to saddle up for Le Tour de Bilston and help raise money for the refurbishment of the town's war memorial this weekend.

WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams is working with the Rotary Club of Bilston & Wolverhampton West and Discover Bilston to hold the cycling fundraiser - and organisers are appealing for local residents to join in the fun by taking part.

Le Tour de Bilston will take place from 8am to 3pm on Saturday (12 May) at Bilston Market, with participants asked to ride one of the stationary exercise bikes supplied by WV Active for 30 minutes each.

Bob Stolz President of the Rotary Club of Bilston & Wolverhampton West said: "The Rotary Club is part of Bilston Remembers Community group which has been working to commemorate the centenary of the First World War for the last 4 years.

"At the heart of our plan is the costly refurbishment of the war memorial in Bilston which has suffered wear and tear from weather over the years.

"Le Tour de Bilston is a fantastic way for us to raise money towards this, and we have chosen to use exercise bikes from WV Active and hold the event at Bilston Market as both places are popular with residents in the area.

"We hope that as many people as possible will help us make this a success by jumping on a bike and taking part or by sponsoring our cycling efforts."

The event is being support by the Deputy Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton, Councillor Philip Page, plus the city's 3 MPs, Pat McFadden, Emma Reynolds and Eleanor Smith, who will all be cycling during the event.

Deputy Mayor Councillor Page said: "I am looking forward to getting on my bike and raising vital funds which will help restore the war memorial to its former glory. I'd encourage as many people as possible to join us on Saturday and take part."

Dr Bike will be holding a repair workshop at the event, where residents with broken bicycles can bring them along and have them fixed or checked over for free.

To find out more about the fundraising event and get involved or make a donation, please visit Type=links;Linkid=10425;Title=Le Tour de Bilston;Target=_blank;

  • released: Thursday 10 May, 2018