A Shropshire care home provider is supporting veteran cyclists after sponsoring one of the UK’s most unique cycle events.

Coverage Care Services Ltd, which operates 14 care homes across the county, has thrown its support behind the 2019 Queen Victoria Cyclocross event which will take place at Blists Hill Victorian Town on June 29.

The event attracts hundreds of competitors from across the country, aged five and upwards, to the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.

Once dubbed Britain’s ‘craziest’ bike race, the event features five different races, each taking place around the streets of the Victorian town, its wooded trails and surrounding hills and embankments.

coverage care services
Sandy Olivir, activities coordinator at Coverage Care’s Lightmoor View home, is pictured with event promoter Nick Jeggo at Blists Hill Victorian Town.

Coverage Care, which operates a number of homes in the Telford area including Lightmoor View near Ironbridge, is sponsoring the Retired Servicemen and Country Gentlemen’s Race, which caters for veteran riders.

Chief Executive Chris Wall said: “This event has proved extremely popular in recent years both with riders and spectators and we are delighted to see it returning to Blists Hill for yet another year of exciting racing.

“When we discovered the veterans race was named in honour of Retired Servicemen and Country Gentlemen it seemed rather fitting for us to be sponsors.

“Our homes across the county are home to many retired ex-forces personnel and it goes without saying that we have plenty of true gentlemen residents as well as female residents who supported the war efforts.”

Promoter Nick Jeggo said the event had become a ‘must-ride’ race for those competing in cyclocross with people travelling from across the UK to take part.

He said: “We’re delighted to welcome Coverage Care Services as one of the key sponsors for this year’s event. The race really does attract riders of all ages from just four-years-old up to those in their 70s.

“It’s a great course, great venue and a chance to enjoy a bike race like no other.”

Doors open at 5.15pm and the first race gets underway at 6pm. Novice and experienced riders are invited to take part and there is plenty for spectators to enjoy.

Organisers will be dressed in Victorian attire and the town’s Victorian pub, chip shop and cafe will be open during the event.

Entrance for spectators costs £4 and race entrants can register via the British Cycling website which can be found here http://cyclotours.co.uk/qvcx/enter-the-race/.