WIREDGOV

As of yesterday, (Tuesday 18th February) cyclists across the UK can register for the Wheels for Change fundraising challenge.

Seven 100km cycling events are taking place simultaneously on Saturday 24 May 2014, from multiple Barclays Premier League sites, promising to provide sports fans with a fantastic challenge, as well as the opportunity to raise funds for UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation. 

Wheels for Change, in aid of UNICEF and supported by Barclays, is aiming to raise more than £500,000. The money will help young people in some of the world’s poorest countries build a brighter future for themselves and their communities. UNICEF will use the funds raised to provide start-up funding and grants to help disadvantaged young people get their small businesses started.

UNICEF UK and Wheels for Change are encouraging 10,000 cyclists to saddle up. The 100km routes will start and finish at Barclays Premier League affiliated venues*, including: 

• Cardiff City stadium;
• Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park;
• Fulham’s training ground at Motspur Park, South West London;
• Liverpool FC’s Family Park, Anfield Road  
• Manchester United’s Old Trafford;
• Newcastle United’s training ground at Darsley Park; and
• Birmingham Road, outside West Bromwich Albion’s The Hawthorns.

Funds raised through Wheels for Change will enhance the work of the Barclays and UNICEF Building Young Futures partnership. The global partnership, which began in 2008, provides disadvantaged young people with the employability, enterprise and financial skills they need to find work, or set up their own small business.Sir Chris Hoy said: “As a UNICEF UK Ambassador, I’m proud to support Wheels for Change.
Cycling transformed my life and now through this fundraising event we have the chance to help transform the lives of disadvantaged young people across the world, to turn their business dreams into a reality.”

Catherine Cottrell, Deputy Executive Director of Fundraising, at UNICEF UK said: “Wheels for Change is an excellent fundraising challenge which will have a hugely positive impact on some of the world’s most disadvantaged young people. It is fantastic that this is kicking off at Barclays Premier League grounds, so register now to make a difference and boost your fitness levels at the same time.” 

Shane Hawkins, Founder of Wheels for Change and a Managing Director at Barclays said: “Wheels for Change will help disadvantaged young people to build stronger futures for themselves and their communities. What better reason to get on your bike - I encourage you to sign up to the Wheels for Change challenge and help make a difference.” 

To register and find out more including how your money could help, visit the Wheels for Change website: www.wheelsforchange.co.uk

Notes for editors:

For more information, please contact:Sandra Brobbey UNICEF UK -020 7375 6069 sandrab@unicef.org.uk or the UNICEF UK Press team on 020 7375 6030

* Cycling routes begin and finish at:

• Cardiff City stadium;

• Crystal Palace stadium - Selhurst Park

• Fulham FC’s training ground - Motspur Park

• Liverpool FC’s Family Park, Anfield Road  

• Manchester United’s Old Trafford

• Newcastle United FC’s training ground at Darsley Park

• West Bromwich Albion - outside the stadium: Birmingham Road Car Park.

About Wheels for Change:Founded in 2011, UK-based Wheels for Change is a Barclays supported initiative, which raises money for UNICEF to help disadvantaged young people. This year Wheels for Change aims to increase both the scale of the event and its fundraising target.  In a series of seven cycling sportives, open to the public, the initiative aims to raise more than £500,000 for UNICEF to help build stronger futures for disadvantaged young people around the world and their families. For further information, please visit the Wheels for Change website: www.wheelsforchange.co.uk #wheelsforchange 

About UNICEF:UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do.  Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.  UNICEF UK raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work and advocates for lasting change for children everywhere. We are a UK registered charity, supported entirely by voluntary donations. We do not receive any money from the UN. For more information, please visit unicef.org.uk

About Barclays:Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in personal banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth and investment management with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. Barclays’ purpose is to help people achieve their ambitions – in the right way.

With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs approximately 140,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide.As part of Barclays’ Citizenship strategy, it is committed to change 5 Million Young Futures by 2015. Barclays is investing not only money, but the time and expertise of Barclays’ colleagues in community programmes that will enhance the enterprise, employability and financial skills of the next generation. These vital skills will help disadvantaged young people overcome the social and financial challenges they face, better provide for themselves and their families, and ultimately, support longer-term growth in the economy.For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com.About Building Young Futures:Set up in 2008, Building Young Futures is a partnership between Barclays and UNICEF with the aim of helping to tackle youth unemployment by enabling disadvantaged young people – between the ages of 15 and 25 – to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to set up their own business or find a job. Between 2012 and 2015, the programme aims to directly benefit 74,000 young people in six countries. Building Young Futures works in communities with high unemployment rates. Through a combination of the expertise of Barclays’ employees and the experience of UNICEF, we are transforming the prospects of vulnerable young people living in these areas.