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Neighbor News

5th Annual BIKE the BASIN gearing up to raise a half million dollars!

This award winning, family friendly youth cycling event is the biggest fundraiser for the Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation.

“What’s different and special about this event is that it is for kids by kids. Not only does it raise awareness for retinal diseases, it gets kids active and teaches them bike safety”

-Merrill Reese, Voice of the Philadelphia Eagles

Find out what's happening in Northamptonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The 5th annual BIKE THE BASIN Sunday, September 20, 2015

9:30am – 12:00pm

Find out what's happening in Northamptonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Northampton Civic Center, 345 Richboro Road, Richboro, PA 18954

AGES: 1-18 (Cyclists), 14-22 (Volunteers)

ADVANCED REGISTRATION PREFERRED, Walk Ups welcome

Registration Fee: $20 per cyclist, includes 20+ activities and give-a-ways with age group rides around the half mile track (ALSO INCLUDES FREE TSHIRT WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!)

Register at www.bikethebasin.org

TWITTER @cureCRB1

FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM @bikethebasin

Award winning, family-centered youth cycling fitness event, Bike the Basin, returns for the 5th year on September 20, 2015 in Richboro, PA. Bike the Basin was voted Best Event in Philadelphia (PHL17 Philly Hot List 2013) and is two time winner of Top 5 Fundraiser in Bucks County (Finalist, Bucks Happening Most Happening List 2014, 2015).

Since it debuted in Bucks County in 2011, Bike the Basin has raised over $300,000 for the Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation, a worldwide 501c3 non-profit organization that works to fund research for a cure for CRB1 retinal disease. The founders of Bike the Basin, The Smedley Family of Bucks County, have two sons, Michael (15) and Mitchell (11), that are blind from this rare disease. They started Bike the Basin as a way for kids to get involved in their mission.

“One day, I will see my own face. I hear it is adorable.” – Mitchell Smedley, 11, Blind, cofounder Bike the Basin

At Bike the Basin, teen volunteers assist the young cyclists with a bike helmet check and safety course, provided and led by Safe Kids Bucks County. Over 100 teens line the start/finish area to cheer as the cyclists start and end their age group rides around the half mile track that circles the Northampton Civic Center soccer basin. Members of Suburban Cyclists Unlimited, an adult cycling club, serve as route guides for the teen cyclists as they circle the track and Tyler park area.

In the combined first 4 years, the BIKE THE BASIN events have logged over 700 bike riders and over 800 teen volunteers have attended the very popular event.

The organizers of BIKE THE BASIN, made up of mostly 4th-12th graders in Bucks County, have set a goal to hit the $500,000 threshold for the combined 5 years of fundraising. Families, organizations, and individuals raise funds for this event in the months leading up to it by hosting smaller events and by asking family and friends to donate to their fundraising team. Families and organizations are rewarded at Bike the Basin for their fundraising efforts with ribbons, medals, and plaques depending of what level of fundraising they achieved. Many try to win the coveted “Basinator” and “Bike-a-nator” trophies for the highest amounts raised.

EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE and include free cyclists registrations and exposure online, on social media outlets, on event tshirts, and more.

CONTACT:

Kristin Smedley

267.566.9068

curingretinalblindness@gmail.com

rivNTS6

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