THE fundraising campaign to ensure that the ‘SpArC doesn’t go out’ of the leisure centre in Bishop's Castle continues with a mountain bike challenge.

A series of events are planned for the summer which include a 190 km, unsupported, mountain bike ride between Bishop's Castle and the summit of Snowdon by David Luckhurst who lives in Brockton, Lydbury North.

It starts at SpArC in Bishop's Castle at 6 am Wednesday September 14 where 'giant SpArC-lers' will be lit!

The ride will be completed with the ascent of Snowdon on Saturday, September 17 – before dawn.

“I have been planning the ride for some time and it seems fitting that, given the importance of SpArC in supporting all forms of sport and fitness in this area, I should do something special to support the campaign to save it from closure,” said David, aged 68.

“The ‘Don’t let the SpArC go out’ campaign is really important for our community and I hope the idea of SpArC-lers on Snowdon’s summit will light up the imagination! I hope it will encourage many to support the campaign with donations to the ride.”

David has some experience of this type of terrain, having completed a more than 2000 km ride from John o' Groats to Land's End, much of it off-road, in 2013.

Karen Bavastock, Mayor of Bishop's Castle said that the ride showed the passion that people in the area feel for the SpArC facility.

Donations to David’s ride for SpArC can be made on sponsorship forms available around Bishop's Castle (SpArC, Town Hall, Simpsons, Harvest Wholefoods in Lydham and others), or online at David’s own fundraising site www.virginmoneygiving.com/sparctosnowdonride