The organisers of the annual CLIC24 charity 24 hour event clearly have some sort of inside line to the meteorological powers that be – they’re promising a “warm, sunny and dusty weekend of riding this year” after 2007 conditions best described as “thoroughly manky”. Although now that we read the press release again, the form of words doesn’t actually commit to the CLIC24 weekend itself (10/11 May 2008) being warm and sunny, just that there will be at least one warm, sunny and dusty weekend of riding on the Mendip Hills at some point this year. Which, looking out of the window right now, looks like an ambitious goal in itself, but we digress.

Aaaaanyway. CLIC24. 2008 will be the seventh year of the charity bikeathon, and it’ll be sticking with the popular format of the last couple of years – 10 mile course on the Mendip Hills, based at the Charterhouse Centre near Blagdon, music, food, the legendarily relaxed atmosphere, all that.

Over the years, CLIC24 has raised a mighty £165,000 for children’s cancer and leukaemia charity CLIC Sargent. Chris Banting, Community Fundraising Manager from CLIC Sargent confirmed last year’s total as over £52,000.

“£50,000 could help secure another site for a new Home from Home, close to one of the UK’s paediatric oncology units,” said Chris. “It would mean that parents do not have to travel miles to take their child for treatment, but stay close by in our home. There are 22 paediatric oncology units around the UK and currently only 7 CLIC Sargent Homes from Home. This illustrates the enormous difference CLIC24 makes to the children and families we serve. Your continued support has already helped us make a difference to the lives of children who have cancer.”

Event organiser Neil Wilkins said, “We have a few surprises in store for this year and yes, the rumours of hot showers are true! Live music, home cooked food, chilled out atmosphere and that great course. We think we have the formula for an excellent weekend of riding just about right and it’s all in a good cause too.”

The event website at www.clic24.org.uk now has full details and entry forms to download.