BTTB08 is pleased to be able to announce to you today, exclusively on GTST.net and Vital Football Lincoln, the final estimate raised from BTTB 08 stands £8,017.48. With £2,674.33 going to each charity. Read on for the full statement...

From something that started out as a joke with some Grimsby Town fans on an Internet Message Board as there were no trains from Grimsby to Lincoln on the day of the match which made it tricky for some of the lads to get to the game. In the few days following the original idea more and more interest was generated, and, with about 10 people saying they would be prepared to cycle to the game, it quickly became a reality. A vote was cast as to which charities money raised would be donated to, and from that point there was no looking back!

The group quickly decided that money raised would go to St Andrew's Hospice in Grimsby, St Barnabas in Lincoln and Cancer Research UK.

Through the http://www.thefishy.co.uk and http://www.lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk Internet message boards we quickly became overwhelmed with riders wanting to Bike to the Bank!

Soon after, many local and national companies pledged their assistance: Asda, Tesco, Lincsprint, Morrisons, Ready Rent a Car and Barnes of Lincoln; all helping us in their own amazing way.

With the chapter now closing officially on the 10th October at Lincoln’s home game versus Rochdale, it gives me great pleasure in opening the new chapter that will be Bike To the Park. On Saturday 7th March 2009 we will be doing the reverse fixture GTFC vs LCFC at Blundell Park:

We have chosen to change the charities slightly, Being this is a football event and for the local communities we will carry on our local theme with the money being raised for again St Andrews Grimsby and St Barnabas Lincoln, We will also being raising money for both football trusts GTST and LCST with monies being split 25% each.

Speaking of the announcement regarding next year’s event, the new line up of charities and about BTTB, a statement from each charity.

Kim Frow of St Barnabas:
“The bike ride created a lot of interest and was a great idea. The money raised from it will be put towards the refurbishment project at the Hospice. Our inpatient unit on

This is long overdue as the building has not been updated since 1989. Our patient’s privacy and dignity is foremost in our thoughts as this project aims to improve the overall ambiance of the hospice and to liken it more to a hotel than an institution with a greater emphasis on creating a much lighter and brighter interior. Thank you on behalf of everyone at St Barnabas who will benefit from this money you have raised.”

Questioned on whether Kim would like to do BTTP 09

“I would love to do the bike ride but unfortunately due to three back operations I sometimes have problems with my back and would hate to let you down if back is bad. That said cycling is something that I can usually do without it aggravating it but 40 miles might not be a good idea!!!! I will think on it!”

Thanks again to everyone involved

Mike Gresham, Fundraiser. St Andrews Grimsby

“St. Andrews Hospice is always looking for innovative ways to raise much needed funds for our charity, which of course helps local people of all ages who have life limiting illnesses. The Bike to the Bank event certainly fell into that category-this is the first time to my knowledge that two sets of fans have got together to help their respective Hospices!

The day itself was a brilliant occasion and a credit to everyone involved and I guess a draw between the two teams was a fitting result!

The running costs of the Hospice are currently £3 million per annum so the wonderful donation of £2674 will be used to help with those. My heartfelt thanks to all who contributed in any way to a wonderful fundraising day."

John Roddam, LCST Chairman:

On behalf of the Supporters Trust can I congratulate everyone who took part either as a rider or helper. Whatever part you played it was great and it appears a lot of money has been raised for some very worthy causes.

I would particularly like to single out Jon and Josh without whom this project would not have got off the ground. Well done the both of you.

Moving onto the wider issues, the publicity gained for the charities can only be to their benefit and bring the message to a far wider audience. As regards the Trusts, both Grimsby and Lincoln, how nice that two teams of supporters who are county rivals can get together and bring some good to those less fortunate. At the same time it highlights the Trusts and the work that they do whose many members work without reward for the good of their club but on this occasion for people who they will never meet.

Again, well done everyone and lets hope that this is the beginning of many such events.

On Behalf of the Grimsby Town Supporters Trust:  

The board of GTST would like to congratulate the organisers and participants involved in the Bike To The Bank initiative in raising so much money for three very worthy causes (this includes the 'international' ride that took part in parallel).

Dave Otter, GTST Chairman says "I was delighted to be able to provide support to the riders, both through giving practical assistance on the day and via a GTST donation. In addition to the fantastic sum raised, the collaboration between the 'rival' supporters is a great example of football being a force for good. I'd like to pay tribute to the dedication of both the organisers and the riders, and look forward to any similar future events.

A word from others involved with BTTB:

Leon Harding, rider: 
“I was involved in the early recruitment of riders and a group leader for the ride. I think the ride went really well, better than I imagined and was chuffed to bits that we raised so much in such a short space of time. I think the ride shows what great things people can do when they get their heads together and push their bodies to the limit, especially when it is two groups of fans from rival football clubs. I look forward to seeing you all in a few months time for the return leg”

Matthew Newton, rider:
After joking about riding my bike to Lincoln on the fishy, I never would of thought
50 Lincoln and Grimsby Town fans would make the 43 mile trip to raise money for charity.
Special thanks must go to the Manager at the Lord Tennyson for the food he laid on without cost

The chairmen of both clubs were soon to arrive at the pub and were congratulating us. We
Chatted to them for a while and then took a few more pictures and headed down to Sincil Bank.

40 Mariners Fans biking through Lincoln singing Marrrrinnnerrrrs was the highlight of the day
For me, passers by's faces were also a picture.

Finally...

It was a day to remember and a day for everyone to be proud, we had our highs and lows while organising this, there was lots of problems, but we overcome them, this was a football event, done by the fans for the fans with proceeds going to charity.

We would like take this opportunity to say thank-you on behalf of everyone involved with Bike To The Bank 2008 for all the help and support we received from the people of Lincoln and Grimsby; it was a fantastic achievement by both sets of fans.

Jonathan Spurr / Josh Lane, Co-Organisers, BTTB 08