Prime Minister backs Shropshire's Hope House Hospice

Theresa May took to social media to tell her followers about the children's hospice.

She retweeted North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson's tweet about a cycling fundraiser for the Oswestry based hospice which is taking place.

It meant the name of the hospice went out to her more than half a million Twitter followers.

The Prime Minister added: "@OwenPaterson is a long-term supporter of @HopeHouseKids - a children’s hospice based in Morda doing superb work in his constituency."

Mr Paterson said the Prime Minister's office had contacted him out of the blue.

"She highlights a charity once a week and asked me if there was a charity she would like me to mention. Hope House is an excellent charity and I hope as many people as possible take part in the North Shropshire Cycle Challenge on June 10."

The event is a new cycle challenge which takes in the beauty of all of North Shropshire while raising money for the hospice.

It offers an 85 mile sportive, plus a 35 mile fun route suitable for all.

The event is being organised by the Shropshire Club which has raised £300,000 for Hope House Children’s hospice over the past decade through annual balls and the a marathon ride to Paris.

There will be refreshment and cheer stations along the route at Newport, Wem, Hope House in Oswestry, Ellesmere and Whitchurch, and a barbecue and bar for spectators and riders on the finish line at The Grove School in Market Drayton.

Standard entry fees are £25 for the sportive and £20 for the fun ride. All of the entry fees, and any optional sponsorship raised, will go directly to Hope House.

Major Gifts Manager for Hope House, Vanessa Thomas said she hoped that hundreds of cyclists would take up the challenge and enjoy a great adventure while helping Hope House.

“It is a fantastic and very well-organised new fixture on the county’s cycling calendar,” she said.

“The longer route will prove challenging for regular riders, while the shorter route is a great way to explore the local countryside with the support of refreshment stations, a bike doctor and support vans.

“At the same time, everyone who takes part will be helping to fund the vital care and support Hope House provides to terminally ill local children and their families, and to families who have been bereaved.”

To see route maps and sign up visit www.shropshirecycleride.com.