Corporate Sponsorship
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Find out how your business can helpThis Year's Ride
This year’s Big Pompey Ride event is York2Pompey, which takes place from April 29 to May 2, 2015, from York City FC back to Fratton Park - another gruelling 300-odd miles but this year there will be 31 riders taking part.
Our departure point was set by the fixture list - we wanted to cycle from the ground of whichever team was playing Pompey for the final home game of the season, and be back at Fratton Park in time for kick-off.
Who we're supporting
The Elizabeth Foundation
We facilitate early diagnosis for babies and pre-school children with all degrees of deafness and provide comprehensive educational and support services for them and their families.
By doing so we enable these children to develop their listening and spoken language skills, as well as build their self-esteem and give parents the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions on behalf of their child.
Harbour Cancer Support
Based in Gosport, Harbour Cancer Support gives practical and emotional support to anyone who has been affected by cancer, whether they are someone who has been diagnosed with the disease or their family, carers and friends.
The service offers a safe haven overlooking Portsmouth Harbour for people to spend time in a calm environment, where trained staff and volunteers are on hand to listen, give advice and help in finding information.
Jack’s First steps
In May 2012 Jack was diagnosed with spastic diplegic Cerebral Palsy, and has to wear a lycra suit for his posture, have splints to help with his balance, and use sticks or a walker to move.
The only chance he has of walking unaided is by having a specialist operation, which is only available in Missouri. His parents are fundraising the £66,000 to get him there and pay for the procedure, equipment and rehabilitative physiotherapy.
Sam’s Haven
Set up by Paul and Louise Merrick after their son Sam spent many happy holidays at Haven Holiday Park in West Sussex, Sam’s Haven provides respite breaks for terminally or chronically ill children being treated at Portsmouth’s Queen Alexandra Hospital.
The charity raises money constantly throughout the year to pay for the caravan’s upkeep and fees, and to provide four to five day breaks for up to 15 families a year - more, if fundraising allows.
Kitbags & Berets
Kitbags & Berets is part of the Alzheimer’s Society, and it is an activity group that specifically helps former service personnel live with dementia.
The Portsmouth group enables like-minded people to get together and share their experiences in a relaxed environment at the John Pounds Centre, such as veterans with dementia, their family, carers and friends.
To be confirmed
We have asked York City FC to nominate a charity cause close to their hearts, as we wanted the ride to connect with their local community also.
We will update with more details when we have confirmation...
Pompey in the Community
Formerly part of Portsmouth Football Club but now a stand-alone charity which retains close ties to the club.
PITC’s ethos is simple - to get people moving, to promote health, and to contribute to educational standards across the city.
Pompey Supporters’ Trust
As well as being the majority shareholder in Portsmouth Football Club, the PST supports a number of fan groups and initiatives. Money raised through the York2Pompey cycle ride will be used to fund a number of PST-led specific community projects that use Fratton Park and the football club as a focal point.
Find out moreAbout Big Pompey Ride...
This began as a one-off 300-mile cycle ride to raise money for the Pompey Supporters’ Trust to buy shares in Portsmouth Football Club, thereby increasing the percentage of the club in fan ownership.
However, a story came to light in the local paper about young Jack Robinson, a youngster from the Portsmouth area with a terminal brain tumour. His parents wanted to try and pay for him to do everything on his bucket list, and young Jack’s story inspired hundreds of people to raise money for him to do just that - including meeting Gary Barlow.
The Ride2Bury team very quickly decided to ride to raise money for him too, but sadly he died before the ride, in April 2014, went ahead. The team ended up raising more than £20,000 on their ride, cycling with their Fight For Jack wristbands the entire way. Their funds have been donated to a number of facilities which helped Jack and his parents, and toys and electrical items were donated to the ward at Southampton General Hospital where he was treated.
The ride was gruelling but great fun, so the core team decided to make it an annual fundraising event under the banner of Big Pompey Ride, with the charities benefitting from our efforts changing every year.