Why I donate: to Livability

WHY I donate

Ian Deaville, owner of Rourke Cycles, uses the shop’s annual cycle event, the Cat and Fiddle Challenge, to raise money for disability charity Livability

The Cat and Fiddle Challenge was started by Brian Rourke, founder of Rourke Cycles, in order to raise money for a customer’s child who had cystic fibrosis. I bought the shop four years ago and now manage the event too, which is in its 20th year.

We’ve chosen to raise money for Livability because we really believe in what they do. Disabled people in the UK are supported with funding which covers basic welfare, like putting a roof over their head, or giving them a wheelchair, but what Livability does is actually enhance people’s lives. They take people out on trips, organise social events and do simple things like provide Alexas for people’s rooms.

We work with a sister company to make tricycles for disabled people or those who struggle to balance, and it makes you realise that disabilities affect far more people than you think.

We’re still building the Cat and Fiddle Challenge back up after covid but pre-pandemic we had up to 1,500 participants. The event will take place on September 11 this year. It costs £25 to enter and all the money goes to Livability, as well as the proceeds from our cool cycle jersey which lets you show off your involvement in this legendary ride (or pretend you did it!).

The route is just over 60 miles and involves 1,300 metres of climbing – more than going up Snowdon! It starts and ends at Port Vale Football Club’s ground in Burslem, and winds through the beautiful Peak District. There is a famous seven-mile hill climb towards the Cat and Fiddle pub and it also passes through Flash, the highest village in England. This year we’ve added an alternative, gentler route, to encourage older or less able cyclists to get involved. It covers 50 miles but only 500 metres of ascent, out to the huge satellite dish at Jodrell Bank.

We have people travelling from all around the UK to do the event because it’s one of the best places to cycle in the country and a true challenge, but we also attract passionate people who love raising money for charity. We’ve had one person do it on a BMX bike and another on a vintage butcher’s bike! In 20 years we’ve raised over £700,000. Livability runs 37 residential homes, a specialist school, a brain rehabilitation centre, a further education college, a wellbeing centre and supported living services, providing care, education and rehabilitation to over 1,000 people living with complex and severe disabilities every What makes day. We’re so pleased life liveable? to support a charity that helps disabled

Livability says it’s never just one people to become thing. It’s the sum of many things – mobility, freedom, education, employment, friendship and more. more confident, motivated and

It all adds up to livability. independent, and livability.org.uk/cat enables them to live the life they want to lead.