ST DAVID’S Hospice is gearing up for its first ever cycling challenge next spring.

The inaugural cycling event, St David’s Hospice Care Big Bike Ride, has received backing from Newport based price comparison firm Gocompare.com for the seventy-five mile bike ride in aid of Gwent-based St David’s Hospice Care.

Dubbed the Tour de Gwent, the challenging all day event will be staged for the first time on Sunday, March 30, next year with Gocompare.com employees taking part.

Gocompare.com founder and chief executive Hayley Parsons, who will herself be taking part in the bike ride, said: “We were delighted to be approached by St David’s Hospice Care to support this brilliant new event.

“We always encourage our staff to be active and what better way to be active and support a good cause at the same time than to take part in a charity bicycle event through the wonderful Gwent countryside.”

Starting at 9 am from the day hospice at Malpas the ride will cover a scenic route taking in places such as Newport, Cwmbran, Usk, Chepstow, Monmouth, Devauden and Caerleon and is expected to take entrants between eight to ten hours to complete the circular route.

Keen cyclist Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “It’s always particularly welcome when local employers come on board, such as Gocompare.Com have done in this case, not just to back one of our events but also for their staff to get actively involved and enjoy being part of it and raising funds for us along the way.”

Organisers will provide maps, water and feeding stations along the route and there will be event T Shirt for all participants

For entry details and to enter please visit www.stdavidshospicecare.org or call Kris Broome on 01633 851058