Hundreds cycle in heatwave to raise funds for Kef

Summer’s here and cycle season has started. Various charities in the Jewish community have embraced the heat to raise money to support the work that they do, helping disadvantaged and disabled people to flourish.

In sweltering 30 degrees heat, on Sunday, over 260 Bike4Kef riders cycled distances of up to 150 km on a day which finished with a celebration in Hendon Park. The reward was great, but earning it wasn’t so simple.

After days spent raising almost £800,000 for Kef, Sunday brought the ride which sponsors had been promised. Weekly Kef volunteer and 100km cyclist, Eli Halberstadt, 17, told the JC: “I wanted to collect money for an organisation that helps so many kids and adults with special needs. [Kef] teaches me invaluable life lessons and brings me enjoyment you don’t find anywhere else.”

However, heat made this year’s ride more challenging. When asked about how he had coped with the weather, Eli recalled: “Half-way in, it was a miracle that I hadn’t fainted.” Happily, the vibrant post-ride festivities included a barbecue and music, and Eli shared how Kef’s riders were “treated like kings at the finish line”.

Cyclists on the Hand in Hand sponsored bike ride[Missing Credit]

Recent days have seen other charities hold similar events. Forty-three teenage boys took part in a bike ride organised by Hand in Hand, cycling at their own challenge level across mixed terrain in north London and Hertfordshire.

Hand in Hand CEO Eliezer Gilber said: “This was the seventh youth bike ride I’ve been involved with since founding [Hand in Hand]. I was blown away by the boys’ dedication, tenacity and teamwork. These young people don’t just volunteer weekly, they also train, push themselves and raise funds so we can keep doing more.” The charity operates in London and Manchester with their network of 1,200 teenage volunteers, helping vulnerable Jewish families.

Norwood cyclists stop for a photo during their Sardinia Cycle Challenge (Photo: Norwood)[Missing Credit]

Norwood, however, went much further than the M25 boundary, covering 273km in northern Sardinia. Twenty-seven riders collectively raised £67,000, enabling Norwood to develop a new soft play area at The Hub, one of the charity’s two north London children and family centres for neurodivergent children and their families. Among the group was Norwood resident Oliver Rosenbloom, who was taking part in his first ever challenge, in a tandem team. Oliver’s mum Sharon said of his endeavours: “I am absolutely bursting with pride; I am so proud of Oliver.”

Oliver Rosenbloom (left) cycles in a tandem team (Photo: Norwood)[Missing Credit]

Kisharon Langdon were another charity getting involved in raising money through two-wheeled adventurism. A determined team of 25 cyclists, including four people supported by Kisharon Langdon, completed an epic 318km cycle ride from Porto to Lisbon over the course of four days, raising more than £70,000 in support of people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

Kisharon Langdon cyclists on the annual Velo (Photo: Kisharon Langdon)[Missing Credit]

The charity’s director of fundraising, Adam Overlander-Kaye, said: "This year's Velo was nothing short of inspirational. Seeing our members achieve something so physically and emotionally demanding is a testament to their resilience and the power of community. We're incredibly proud of everyone involved and grateful to all who supported the team."