Local cyclists are being asked to join in a cycling event this August Bank Holiday weekend raising money for a major cash-strapped charity based just off Trafalgar Square in London.

Doing their bit to burn up some of the miles will be Keith Wright, originally from Grantham, and Keith Busfield from just outside Bourne who will be doing the relay section from the site of the Queen Eleanor Cross in Grantham to Geddington, Northamptonshire, the location of one of the three remaining crosses.

The Connection at St Martin's helps thousands of people every year to move away from, and stay off, the streets of London. This is by tackling the underlying causes of rough sleeping as well as offering practical help.

Today, it continues to support those most vulnerable throughout the Covid-19 Emergency, working round the clock during the outbreak. It supports around 200 homeless and vulnerable people every day and night, to help them on a journey away from living on the streets and back into society.

As Keith Wright said: "Having a roof over your head is one of life's essentials. But there are so many people out there, through no fault of their own, living on the streets, sofa surfing or generally making do. One impact of both COVID-19 and the lockdown is that there will be a rise in mental illness, job loss, marital breakdowns, bereavement and poverty – all of which are factors which lead to everyday people finding themselves homeless."

In "normal" times... The Queen Eleanor Cycle Ride is a 4-day sponsored cycle ride, which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend every year.

The 200-mile route follows quiet roads from Harby, near Lincoln, to London, and links the locations of the 12 Queen Eleanor Crosses, which King Edward 1 built in memory of his wife Eleanor of Castile, after she died in Harby in 1290.

It's organised by the Friends of the Connection at St Martin's to raise funds to support the work of the Connection. But in this changed world of Coronavirus and social distancing things have needed to be done differently.

The spirit of Queen Eleanor is being kept alive by cycling in relay over the 4 days of August Bank Holiday along the route of the Queen Eleanor Crosses down to London and Westminster Abbey. Going two by two and keeping social distance, a cross carved by a local Lincoln cyclist and craftsman is accompanying the relay.

Maintaining the connection with Queen Eleanor, the wood is from an ash tree grown on the site of Harby Manor where Queen Eleanor died. It will be passed symbolically from cyclist to cyclist – just like the Olympic torch – until Westminster Abbey, where the cross is placed on Queen Eleanor's tomb.

But cycling in groups or peletons is unlikely to be possible in August. And staying away sleeping in luxury on hall floors such as Harrowby Lane Methodist Church most certainly will not be possible.

So this year the challenge is opened up to everyone around the country to cycle 200 miles, the equivalent length of the Queen Eleanor ride, following any routes of your own choice whilst being local to home over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

There is no required sponsorship target although the 10th Anniversary Ride in 2018 raised over £28,000. A full fundraising pack will be provided and to retain some of the camaraderie there'll be a Zoom gathering every evening where everyone can share the fun of the day.

Further details about the Queen Eleanor Cycle Ride can be found on their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/QECR2020/. Or you can call Charles Woodd on 07962 213494, or drop an email to [email protected].