The annual Riding for Ups 'n' Downs charity fundraiser took place on Sunday 14th July 2024, and it was a resounding success. This year's event marked the 10th anniversary of the ride, celebrating a decade of support for the Northamptonshire charity that provides support and friendship for children and young people with Down's syndrome.
With a record number of participants, the event raised over £8,000, contributing to the impressive total of over £100,000 raised since the fundraiser's inception in 2015.
Held at Earls Barton Cricket Club, the event featured three cycling routes of 100, 60, and 25 miles, catering to riders of all abilities. In addition to the in-person rides and walks, a virtual event allowed participants from around the world to log their cycling miles in support of the charity.
As riders returned to Earls Barton Cricket Club, they were greeted with a warm welcome from the families of the charity, a delicious BBQ, music, and family-friendly activities for the children. Chris Smith, Charity Manager, expressed, ‘Although I’m not a cyclist myself, I always look forward to this annual fundraiser for the charity. The dedication of the riders, both in terms of fundraising and their physical endurance on the day, is quite inspirational! My son Dylan and I were privileged to host the first pit-stop on the 100-mile ride, which gave us the opportunity to talk to all the riders. Dylan certainly gave them the encouragement (and the bananas) they needed to push on!
As a growing local charity, Ups 'n' Downs heavily relies on the generosity of the community and corporate sponsors. This fantastic event has helped us raise over £100,000 over the last ten years and goes a long way in ensuring we can continue providing essential services for our members, such as Communications Therapy and Swimming Lessons. It's also a fabulous day out for everyone involved!’
Farah Cutter, Marketing for Ups ‘n’ Downs states, ‘We are immensely grateful to everyone that took part in the event to help raise funds for the charity. The local community has been fantastic in their support and promotion of the event. The dedication our incredible volunteer team has also played a crucial role in making this event a huge success. We are already looking forward to hosting another fantastic event next year!
As a charity, we are committed to spreading the word about our mission and the impactful work we do in supporting children and young people with Down’s syndrome. We welcome any opportunities to collaborate with businesses and organisations, as these partnerships are vital in broadening our reach and amplifying our efforts.’
For more information on how to get involved or to support next year’s event, please contact Farah Cutter at
