4 Mar 2022 Community

The Kirkwood chosen to be part of special Huddersfield Town fundraiser

Huddersfield Town has announced the return of Pedal for Pounds. Set to take place on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 May 2022, the club also confirmed The Kirkwood will be one of the four charities to benefit.  

Huddersfield Town’s flagship fundraiser is back in 2022! After a hiatus in 2021 caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the much-loved cycling challenge will return this May, and The Kirkwood are delighted to have been chosen as a beneficiary. 

Set to take place on Friday 6 May and Saturday 7 May 2022, the ride – which will be officially known as Pedal for Pounds 10.5 – will challenge Town fans to cycle from Huddersfield to Harrogate and back, returning to the John Smith’s Stadium in time for the last home game of the regular season against Bristol City. 

The event is being sponsored by Made by Cooper and will raise money for three other charities alongside The Kirkwood; the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the Huddersfield Town Foundation and Platform 1 men’s mental health charity. 

Over the past decade, Huddersfield Town, and a legion of dedicated cyclists, have raised over £2m for a host of local charities and good causes through Pedal for Pounds – including The Kirkwood. 

Michael Crowther, Chief Executive with The Kirkwood, was delighted to learn that Huddersfield Town has chosen our charity to benefit from Pedal for Pounds 10.5. 

He said: “We are incredibly honoured to have been selected as one of four tremendous local charities to receive support from Pedal for Pounds.  

“As a local charity, The Kirkwood is proud to support thousands of local people across Kirklees each year, helping families to improve their quality of life in the ways that matter most. Many of the families we help are big Town fans, as are many of our employees and supporters. Following the Terriers brings so much joy to so many people in our care, so to receive this news is really humbling and serves as an endorsement of the positive difference The Kirkwood make for people affected by any life limiting illness in Kirklees.   

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Dean Hoyle and everyone at Huddersfield Town for selecting us to be part of Pedal for Pounds in 2022.” 

The Kirkwood and Huddersfield Town have developed a strong relationship over the past few years. As well as being previous beneficiaries of the Pedal for Pounds challenge, the Huddersfield Town Foundation regularly support us in delivering Sporting Memories sessions for patients and carers. During the pandemic, many of our service users have benefitted from online Zoom sessions with the club, in partnership with our Support & Therapy team. 

If you’re interested in taking part in Pedal for Pounds 10.5, here’s what you need to know: 

There are two options of route on day one, Friday 6 May 2022 – one is 97 miles, and the other is a gentler 65 miles! 

The longer route will begin at the John Smith’s Stadium and see cyclists take on a challenging ride via Burnsall, where there will be a food stop, before heading through Kettlewell and Middleham and ending at the overnight accommodation in Harrogate. 

The 65-mile option for day one starts the same as above, but cyclists will head straight to Harrogate from Burnsall. 

Day two, on Saturday 7 May 2022, will be a straight 33-mile route from Harrogate back to the John Smith’s Stadium in time for kick-off! 

It should be an absoloutley incredible weekend and one The Kirkwood is very proud to be part of, if you would like to find out more about the pedal for pounds journey and see how you can sign up to be part of it, please click the link HERE to find out more about it.