As a registered charity, our funding comes from a variety of sources.
The main income stream is via contract work and grant applications (either for specific projects or equipment). Our team of regular volunteers are also a key part of day to day operations.
However, an additional source of income is through running events, which importantly also help us to raise awareness of the work we do.
The Steel Valley Ride – Saturday 14th July 2018
We first held the Steel Valley Ride, a 31 mile charity mountain bike challenge, back in 2016. After an absence last year (we changed the event to a gravel ride in commemoration of the Tour de Yorkshire coming to Stocksbridge), this year sees a return to mountain biking.
Going through the dramatic landscape of the Dark Peak, the route goes over the technical terrain of Cut Gate before dropping down into the Derwent Valley. It then climbs up to Whinstone Lee Tor and on a track recently repaired by Moors for the Future to Cutthroat Bridge.
The return route to Stocksbridge takes in some quiet roads and lesser known bridleways around Strines.
How does this event raise funds for charity?
The entry fees paid by riders entering the challenge help to raise funds for the Steel Valley Project.
Participants can also raise further money by choosing to get sponsored by friends and family for riding the challenge. As an added incentive, there is an option for riders to claim back their entry fees by raising over £100 for the Steel Valley Project.
Additionally, this year, the British Mountaineering Council is running a ‘Mend our Mountains’ campaign to raise funds for the iconic Cut Gate Bridleway, so we’ll be giving a proportion of the entry fees to this cause.
Why should I enter?
Aside from experiencing incredible scenery and enjoyable mountain biking in an organised event (which provides more support than tackling it solo), those participating can bask in the knowledge that they are contributing to the upkeep of paths and bridleways in the area.
Whilst the proportion of entry fees going directly to Mend Our Mountains will be for the Cut Gate bridleway specifically, the remainder will support other activities.
Here at the Steel Valley Project we maintain a number of paths and bridleways in the north Sheffield/ Dark Peak area. However, we do lots of other countryside management work too.
Check our previous blog posts to get a flavour for how your entry fee will help to improve the environment for people and wildlife in the Upper Don area and beyond.
Our event partners
The event starts and finishes at Trek Sheffield (in the Fox Valley Shopping area, Stocksbridge). Trek have donated a free water bottle for all entrants and a pair of mountain biking shoes as a prize draw for the first 50 entrants.
Although we’re now over 50 entrants, there is still an opportunity to win a £50 Trek Voucher (donated by Stocksbridge Town Council) if you’re one of the first 100 entrants.
We’re not quite up to 100 entrants, so it’s a good time to enter if you’ve been considering getting involved.
How to enter
Entries are still available but filling up quickly, so we recommend you act sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.
More information on the Steel Valley Ride, including how to enter, can be found at:
www.steelvalleyride.wordpress.com