A local sporting legend is organising an event to encourage families across the North East to get active.

Olympian and Commonwealth Games Gold Medal cyclist Joe Waugh is organising the first Waughy’s Challenge – a five mile cycling event for all of the family on June 15th 2008 at Spillers Wharf on Newcastle’s quayside. The event will be part of Bike Week 08, the national initiative to get people cycling. All proceeds from the event will go to Metro Radio’s children’s charity, Just For Kids. Metro Radio’s Wayne Allen will be taking part in the event with his young son. He told us, ‘I’m delighted to be part of this, we’re both really looking forward to it! It’ll be great to do something that the whole family can get involved in.’ Joe Waugh, who now owns M Steel Cycles, a specialist cycling shop in South Gosforth, wanted to organise the event to promote the sport he loves. ‘Cycling is as important now as it has ever been,’ Joe told us, ‘With levels of obesity rising, especially among children, cycling can be a great way to exercise. It is also a brilliant way to reduce your carbon footprint as well as cutting out all the traffic on your way to work! Cycling is also great fun and an activity that the whole family can enjoy. I wanted to organise Waughy’s Challenge so people, young and old, will give cycling a chance.’ The event will start at Spillers Wharf on Newcastle’s quayside. It will then be led by Joe and a team of experts down the quayside and through a family friendly route, passing some of the cities most spectacular views. It will be just under five miles in total, to try and encourage beginners to give it a shot. If you’ve worked up an appetite, there will be barbeque at the finish line. There will also be a raffle giveaway and goodies for the kids. To register for the event, please contact JAM Marketing on 0191 4909199. I will cost £3 for under 16s and £5 for adults with all proceeds going to Just For Kids. Joe, who is soon to be featured on a programme for ITV said, ‘It’ll be so great to see families getting together and having fun for such a great cause. Young and old, get involved!’