PACE are delighted to announce that the SACA Charity Bike Ride 2019 which took place on 20th-21^st July chose PACE as one of its beneficiaries this year, raising crucial funds for an accessible mini-bus which PACE members, particularly our Boccia Teams, will be able to use when travelling to competitions.

The SACA Charity Bike Ride 2019 from Birmingham to London involved a grueling two day challenge where more than a 100 bikers covered 130 miles. The committed riders set off early on Saturday morning from Birmingham (Smethwick) continuing through Coventry, Daventry and Milton Keynes reaching its centennial milestone, Luton. On day two, the ride continued in the morning, passing through St Albans, Radlett, Elstree and Harrow, before reaching their final destination Southall in West London where they were welcomed by their supporters.

SACA pledged their support to raise funds for a mini-bus for PACE to use after learning how successful the PACE Boccia Teams had been and keeping in line with our ethos of social inclusion and promoting equality through sport and physical activity.  The PACE A team remain in the Boccia Super League for the second year running (the Super League consisting of the top six boccia teams in the country) and the PACE B team also qualified for the National Finals for the second consecutive year. Despite all the successes of its athletes, they are not able to travel together as a team to competitions because of accessible transport issues.

PACE Founder, Krishna Birdy, said,

“PACE is honoured to have been chosen as one of SACA’s beneficiaries this year. When Harmi mentioned that they would like to raise funds for a mini-bus for the club to use, we were absolutely thrilled. At the moment, our athletes, who are mainly wheelchair users have to travel individually to boccia competitions, which take place across London and as far as Nottingham and Sheffield. Having a minibus to transport at least four wheelchair users, their support staff and their coach is going to make such a difference, traveling together for a competition is something that any other sports team may take for granted but when you’re disabled, hiring an accessible minibus for competitions can become an extortionate expense. The fact that the team will be able to travel together, socialize, discuss tactics and further bond their comradeship will really boost their morale and confidence before competitions”.

PACE strives to promote and encourage social inclusion and personal development through sport and physical activity. Since it began in 2004, PACE has worked with more than 8,000 people bringing adapted sport to the most vulnerable in our society. By giving our members opportunities to progress, at a level of their choice, it promotes real growth from within and that is the best way for anyone to flourish.