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 Who are the Lon Las Loonies?

The Lon Las Loonies are a group of amateur cyclists from North Wales.

Some call us Loonies because of the challenges we have completed – some just because we are plain loony!!

Our love of cycling brings us together for many adventures exploring North Wales and further afield.  In 2012 we decided to put our escapades to good use in our first fundraising challenge, a ride from Rhyl to the Cardiff Millennium Stadium.  This ride raised just over £16,000 in sponsorship for organisations including Blind Veterans UK, Mencap Wales, the Cancer Unit at Ysbtwy Glan Clwyd and Rhyl Rugby Club Juniors.

Since that first challenge we have raised over £27,000 for causes including Mencap Wales, Sue Ryder and Prestatyn Town Football Club Juniors. 

The Loonies Loop:

2015 will see the Loonies ride 350miles in 4 days, covering the gruelling route outlined below, to raise funds for Blind Veterans UK. 

2015 is a year of celebration for Blind Veterans UK (formerly St Dunstan’s) who have been providing support for visually impaired service personnel since 1915.  The last 100years has seen the charity provide rehabilitation, training and emotional support that ensures Blind Veterans can lead independent, fulfilling lives beyond sight loss.  

A number of the team members taking part in this years challenge have a service background, with one of our team members also working at the charities Llandudno Centre.  We have all visited the centre and seen first hand the difference the training and equipment provided for Blind Veterans can make, ensuring that sight loss is never a barrier to an individuals dreams and aspirations.  It is for this reason that we have decided to donate all funds raised to Blind Veterans UK.

For more information about the work of Blind Veterans UK visit www.blindveterans.org.uk.

The Route:

Day 1:  The Challenge will kick off at Blind Veterans UK’s Llandudno Centre and head to Shrewsbury via Snowdonia and Llangollen. (approx 99.5miles)

Day 2:  From Shrewsbury we will head to Blind Veterans UK’s centre in Sheffield, stopping off at the Arboretum in Stafford before taking on the hills of the Southern Peak District.  (approx 102miles)

Day 3:  From Sheffield we will head to Wrexham – the toughest day of our challenge.  We will cycle directly across the middle of The peak District through to Buxton.  We will also be attempting the Mow Cop, a short but sharp climb rated one of the top 10 climbs in the UK.  After recovering in a lovely pub at the top we will head to our final destination of the day – Wrexham. (approx 96.8miles)

Day 4:  The final day of our challenge will see us head from Wrexham back to our starting point – the Blind Veterans UK Centre in Llandudno.  A warm welcome will be waiting for us at the Centre’s Annual Garden Party – come and join us!! (approx 50-70miles).

Target:

We aim to raise a minimum of £10,000, with riders aiming to raise a minimum of £500 a piece. 

Any support you can give us order to reach our individual and team  targets is greatly appreciated, whether this is by making a donation yourself, displaying information about our challenge along with a collection tin, encouraging your place of work to make a donation – for other ways you can support us please contact victoria.beech@blindveterans.org.uk. 

Join the Gang:

If you would like to take part in the challenge please contact chairman@lonlasloonies.org  for more information or visit www.lonlasloonies.org .

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