NO such thing as a free breakfast? Well, all cyclists have to do is ride to Winchester Cathedral, raising funds for Christian Aid’s Big Bike to Brekkie and a free hearty breakfast butty is theirs.

The international aid and development charity is appealing to sponsored cyclists to join in the ride on Saturday, via any route, to help launch Christian Aid Week (May 13-19).

Breakfast and a hot drink will be served from 9-11.30am at the Cathedral’s Paul Woodhouse Suite in the event which was launched last year and saw 56 riders take part.

Among those setting off for Winchester will be Father Michael Smith, Vicar of Immanuel Church, Hatch Warren and Beggarwood, and other members of Hatch Warren and Beggarwood Cycling Club.

Father Michael said: “For me, one of the most significant aspects of Christian Aid Week is knowing that every little action we make or donation we give, makes us part of a worldwide movement that says we do not accept global poverty and we will step out – or pedal – for change.

“There’s something significant about us converging on the Cathedral united by that desire for justice – as well as the love of cycling and a bacon butty.

“We are riding for over 40 miles but supporting Christian Aid sends ripples right across the world, reaching people who are trapped in poverty and conflict, caught up in natural disasters or impacted by climate change. It tells them that they are not forgotten.”

This year’s Christian Aid Week is highlighting the plight of the more than 40 million people forced from their homes by conflict, climate change, natural disaster or fear and yet who remain within their own countries and as such are denied the official protection afforded to refugees who cross borders.

It will feature stories from Haiti where an estimated 38,000 people are still displaced today as a result of the devastating 2010 earthquake which killed an estimated 220,000 people and left 1.5million people without homes.

Last year in Hampshire supporters raised £165,282. This year events include a sponsored walk, a bird-spotting breakfast, a pop-up charity shop, a car wash, coffee mornings and plant sales.

The Dean of Winchester, the Very Rev Catherine Ogle, said: “I’m delighted to be able to welcome the cyclists in support of this year’s Christian Aid Week. People displaced within their own countries are rarely at the forefront of the news, but Christian Aid hasn’t forgotten them.”

We believe everyone counts, and we will continue to fight alongside them for justice.

“Please do support the event - we promise a warm welcome!”

For more information about Big Bike to Brekkie visit http://bit.ly/bigbiketobrekkie_2018 or call Southampton’s regional Christian Aid office on 023 8070 6969.