Olympic cycling star stops off in Dudley (From Dudley News)

Olympic cycling star stops off in Dudley

3:04pm Monday 10th September 2012 in News

BOROUGH Olympic cycling star, Jess Varnish, stopped off in Dudley to help highlight homelessness as part of a charity ride.

The team-sprint cyclist, who partnered Victoria Pendleton in the London 2012 Games, boosted the efforts of the cyclists from Midlands-based Matrix Housing Partnership, who were undertaking a charity bike ride to raise money for homeless charity Shelter.

Jess, who trains at Halesowen Cycling Club, met the team at The Village Hotel at Castlegate and joined them on a ride around the town as part of their 120 mile two-day challenge.

The 21-year-old said: “British cycling is the best in the world and it is great to see local people like Team Matrix, using their cycles to raise money for homeless people.”

The ride, which started in Lichfield and ended in Evesham, also incorporated visits to a range of schemes for vulnerable people and was completed by a group of chief executives and senior managers. The team raised over £5,000 for Shelter, which was then match funded by Matrix.

Mike Pritty, Chair of Matrix said: “Shelter does vital work in supporting homeless people access accommodation, re-enter society and find work, which are fully supported by social housing organisations like the Matrix Housing Partnership. The bike ride was about rising to the challenge, and has raised a relatively small sum in recognition of this work.”