British Cycling is launching a Local Cycling Heroes campaign to pay tribute to the thousands of individuals who contribute to the running of cycling across all areas of sport and recreation.

Coming as part of National Volunteers' Week, the Local Cycling Heroes campaign recognises the continued passion and dedication of all of the coaches, ride leaders, event officials and club volunteers who contribute over 150,000 hours every year to cycling: a commitment that is valued at over £1.5 million.

So if you know someone who has selflessly helped develop cycling at any level, whether as a volunteer coach, safety campaigner, Breeze Champion, race commissaire, club welfare officer or disability worker; say thank you by nominating them as a Local Cycling Hero.

The nominations, will be shortlisted on a regional basis, with winners announced at the end of the summer, and are being backed by Great Britain’s top riders, with double world champion Becky James paying tribute to the dedication of those behind the scenes.  

James said: “I started riding with my local club in Wales and wouldn’t be where I am without the continued passion and dedication of volunteers.

“That is why I’m delighted to be able to launch our Local Cycling Heroes campaign to champion the amazing efforts of people that contribute to our sport.”

Alongside the summer-long Local Cycling Heroes campaign, British Cycling will be paying tribute to all volunteers throughout National Volunteer Week with a series of articles highlighting the efforts of individuals across all areas of cycling.

British Cycling’s volunteer statistics:

• We have trained over 900 women to become Breeze Champions leading local rides for women and girls and over 2,000 ride leaders to guide recreational rides.
• Over 1,500 club volunteers have completed nearly 80,000 hours of training with British Cycling across a range of roles, such as coaching, welfare and administration.
• We have trained an additional 820 14 to 18 year-olds though our Cycling Award for Young Volunteers programme.

• More than 1200 volunteer organisers and clubs are delivering over 3700 cycle sport events every year. Over 2000 event officials are engaged in the delivery of these events.

• British Cycling recently established a National Youth Forum, in order to empower young people to actively help develop opportunities for their peers.

We support and train thousands of volunteers every year across a range of roles and Sandra Green is a great example. After 15 years riding with a predominantly male club she jumped at the opportunity to train with British Cycling’s Breeze Network and help women of all ages and abilities get into cycling.

She said: “I’ve had quite a few ladies who haven’t ridden a bike for a very long time and Breeze rides have inspired them to come back to their bikes. Some haven’t been on a bike in 30 or 40 years but have decided to get on and give it a try.”

As a result of her volunteering she was nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award at the Wigan Sports Awards.

“If there are any women in Wigan who want support to get on a bike I am here to help,” said Sandra.

For more information about how to get into volunteering visit www.britishcycling.org.uk/getinvolved