“THIS is the biggest event the town has ever seen and we’re so proud of how it’s united the community” – those were the words of one of the organisers of a mammoth cycle ride and fun day which will raise money for three charities.

Thirty-five cyclists will be taking part in a 140-mile ride from Berkeley Square in Mayfair, London to Berkeley Square in Berkeley, Gloucestershire in just one day.

Setting off at 5am on Saturday, July 1, the BSQ2BSQ team aim to arrive back in Berkeley at 6pm, cheered on by the town’s residents, when the annual Family Funday is taking place.

One of the organisers, Lisa Higgins, 42, who runs Lily & Violet Vintage shop in Dursley, told the Gazette: “Every year in Berkeley we hold a big fun day and rounders tournament in aid of Meningitis Now in memory of our friends’ son Sam Virgo. He died nine years ago, aged just two, and as a community we’ve done lots of fundraising in his name – so far over £130,000 has been raised with various events.

“Last year, however, we lost two more special people close to us so we wanted to do something in memory of them too. Mark Pope died from Creutzfeldt -Jakob Disease and Bill Spiers lost his battle with stomach cancer. We asked their families to choose a charity and the CJD Support Network and The Sue Ryder Hospice at Leckhampton, where Bill spent his final days, were chosen.

“We decided we needed a much bigger event as well as the fun day and came up with a mega cycle ride as it was something we hadn’t done before.

“We knew we needed to end the ride in Berkeley but needed a starting point, so as non-cyclists ourselves we thought 140 miles from London sounded like a good idea. So Berkeley Square in Mayfair was chosen.

“We embarked on our search for some crazy people to take part and started with family members of Sam, Bill and Mark. Next we approached all our cyclist friends and soon had a list of names. Some thought it impossible to achieve in just one day but we’re up for the challenge regardless.

“We came up with some ideas to help publicise the event, the main one being to collect everyone’s old bikes and paint them in the colours of the three charities – yellow, orange and blue. Once painted we would install them around the town and then add planters. We even had three bikes taken up to London and attached to the railings around Berkeley Square.”

Lisa added: “This event has brought our whole community together and lots of people have helped us fundraise by holding their own events and giving us the proceeds.

“Reverend Richard Avery from St Mary’s Church in Berkeley hosted a quiz night at The Salutation Inn and they in turn have hosted ‘Ham from Home’ nights for us. The council sponsored the plants and the gardening club came along and helped us. TomatoJackArts created a fabulous ‘bike wheel’ mosaic which was raffled for us during the Severn Vale Art Trail. The Church is hosting a concert by Thornbury Orchestra on Saturday June 10 and are asking for donations for us.”

At the fun day on July 1, there will be a whole host of activities as well as the rounders tournament, including a vintage tea shop and live music.

Lisa added: “We are hoping the cyclists will arrive back in town around 6pm when we will be asking the crowds to line the streets from the football field to the town hall to cheer them in. We’ll have a presentation and then dance the night away – those of us that can still walk.”

A social event for the cyclists and helpers takes place at the Berkeley Arms Hotel on Saturday June 10.

An online donations page has been set up and funds will be divided equally between the three charities.

See bsquare2bsquare.org.uk to donate or for more information.