Anthony Minghella’s family kindly agree to the SQ2SQ 2008 challenge being dedicated to and in memory of him.

The SQ2SQ Charity Cycle Challenge Team 2008 are pleased and honoured to be able to announce that Gloria and Edward Minghella have very kindly agreed to the wish of the the Team for the 2008 challenge to be dedicated to and in memory of their son, Anthony Minghella.

Gloria and Edward Minghella are deeply touched by this wish of the team to dedicate the challenge to their son and hope that the use of Anthony’s name will bring the challenge the recognition and support it deserves.

The SQ2SQ Team 2008 wish to thank and are indebted to Gloria and Edward Minghella, and their family, for their kindness and continued support of the SQ2SQ Charity Cycle Challenge 2008.

As of 22 May 2008 the SQ2SQ Charity Cycle Challenge 2008 Appeal has raised £30,435 for the Wessex Cancer Trust for the diagnosis, treatment and care of Isle of Wight cancer patients. The current target is £40,000.

999 Emergency Services night at Yates, Newport, Isle of Wight for SQ2SQ 2008

Yates in Newport High Street will be holding a 999 Emergency Services night on Wednesday 21 May 2008.

The evening will have some great 80′s music and many of the SQ2SQ 2008 Team will be in the Yates bar for the evening.

Visitors to the evening will be able to meet the SQ2SQ Team, make donations and buy SQ2SQ 2008 Isle of Wight Festival Festival Prize Draw tickets (which gives you the chance to win a pair of Isle of Wight Festival 2008 tickets).

Entry for the evening is £3, with all proceeds going to the SQ2SQ Charity Cycle Challenge 2008 Appeal.

The SQ2SQ 2008 Team wish to express their sincere thanks to the management and staff at Yates for their support.

The SQ2SQ Team are looking forward to a great evening.

Yates, High Street, Isle of Wight, PO30 1SS Telephone: 537 311

Tommy Burns has died at the age of 51 after losing a two year battle against skin cancer.

The former Scotland midfielder was treated for skin cancer in 2006, but it returned earlier this year. Tommy Burns passed away on 15 May 2008.

Tommy Burns was with Celtic from 1974 to 1989, had a spell as manager in the mid-1990s and was the club’s first-team coach before being granted leave.

A Celtic FC statement said: “Tommy, a true Celtic legend and wonderful man will be sadly missed by us all. Clearly, our thoughts are very much with Tommy’s wife, Rosemary, and his family at this extremely difficult time.”

This tragic loss serves as a stark warning of the dangers of of skin cancer and sun bathing and comes only a week after Cancer Research UK warned young people to avoid ‘binge tanning’.

Tommy Burn’s funeral is to take place on Tuesday 20 May 2008. The route for Tommy Burns’ funeral cortege will be as follows: the funeral party will leave St Mary’s Church, Abercromby Street, Calton, on Tuesday, May 20 at approximately 1:45pm to pass the front of Celtic Park before heading to Linn Cemetery.

The route will be Abercromby Street – Gallowgate – Holywell Street – Janefield Street – front of Stadium – London Road – Dunn Street – Newhall Street – The Green – Kings Drive – Ballater Street – Laurieston Road – Cathcart Road – Aikenhead Road – Carmunnock Road – Lainshaw Drive to Linn Cemetery.

Looking after your skin

Cancer Research UK has consistently warned people to avoid tanning, especially using sunbeds to high levels.

Protecting your skin from the sun

If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, you are at increased risk of getting another one in the future. You must take care in the sun. You should

* Wear close weave cotton clothing in the sun
* Wear long sleeves and trousers
* Wear a hat that shades your face and neck
* Use a high factor sun cream when you are in the sun
* Avoid the sun when it is strongest – between 11am and 3pm
* NEVER use a sun bed

A note about sun creams

The sun protection factor (SPF) shows how much protection the suncream gives you. Factor 15 will filter out 93% of the sun’s harmful rays. The highest protection you can get is factor 60, which will filter out 98% of the sun’s rays.

If you have had skin cancer, you should not take any chances. The SPF is to give you extra protection. It does not mean you can safely sunbathe.

The dangers of sunbathing

It really should be the time to stop chasing the perfect suntan. No strong sun exposure is good for your skin. At best it causes dryness and premature aging. At worst it causes melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

We are all encouraged to believe a good tan looks healthy. But this is only really another fashion. Before this century, a suntan was thought to be unflattering because it meant you worked outdoors and so weren’t a lady or gentleman of leisure. Why not concentrate on looking pale and interesting instead!

Source: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=4368 (opens in new window)

Some SMART advice

Sunburn can double your risk of skin cancer. Basically, you should keep out of the sun when it is at its most intense. You should never use a sun bed. Remember the SunSmart message

* Stay in the shade 11am – 3pm
* Make sure you never burn
* Always cover up
* Remember to take extra care with children
* Then use factor 15+ sunscreen

The SunSmart website has lots of information about protecting you and your children.

Covering up in the sun

It is best to wear long sleeves and long trousers if you are going to be out in hot sun in the middle of the day. The time it is most important to cover up is between 11am and 3pm. This is when the sun is at its most intense. If you are out, sit in the shade.

Wear a hat with a brim to protect both your face and the back of your neck. Babies and children should always wear brimmed hats in the sun. Baseball caps may look smart, but they leave the back of the neck and ears completely exposed. Much better is the ‘foreign legion’ type, with a cloth flap that covers the back of the neck. These are now widely available for babies and young children.

Don’t forget to protect your eyes. Wear good quality, wrap-around sunglasses. Wrap arounds stop the sun from getting in at the sides. Buy these for children too – toy sunglasses can do more harm than good.

If you are in or near water, be aware of the reflection of the sun from the surface of the water. You are much more likely to burn and should cover up or use a complete sun block.

The amount of protection you get from your clothes varies depending on the type of material. The closer the weave of the fabric, the more likely it is to keep the sun off. Thin, loose weave fabrics such as cheesecloth give very little protection. Close weave cotton (T shirt material), gives quite good protection.

In the UK, manufacturers of clothing (particularly children’s clothing) are beginning to put sun protection factor labels in their clothes. The higher the number, the more protection the clothing will give. Wet fabric can stretch and lose most of its ability to protect from the sun. There are now sunsuits available to give children and adults greater protection on the beach.

Suncreams

This is becoming a subject of more and more debate. There are doctors and researchers who are beginning to think that sun creams could be harmful because they encourage people to stay out in the sunshine for longer. They think that the protection the creams give you against burning may not actually stop you increasing your risk of skin cancer by sitting in the sun. The only way to be absolutely sure of reducing your skin cancer risk is to keep out of the sun. And if you must get a tan, do it very gradually. This may cause less damage.

What to buy

Cheap suncreams are just as good as expensive ones. They are all tested the same way and it is the SPF that matters most. Do check the ‘use by’ date. Most creams will last about 2 or 3 years – so it is OK to use last year’s, but not a bottle from 5 years ago!

Sun creams have changed a lot in the past 15 years. There is a huge range and it can be difficult to know what to buy. You should choose one that says it protects against both UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. This may be labelled ‘broad spectrum’.

Then you need to choose the right sun protection factor. We recommend at least factor 15. This is because it gives the best balance between protection and cost. The higher factor creams are more expensive, but do not give much more protection than factor 15. If you use

* Factor 15, only 7% of the harmful rays will get through
* Factor 30, only 4% of the harmful rays will get through
* Factor 60, only 2% of the harmful rays will get through

So you can see, you are getting some more protection with the most expensive creams, but not that much more. There is no suncream that can give you total protection. 98% protection (with factor 60) is about the best you will get.

Don’t assume that because you have put on suncream, you can stay out without burning. Keep an eye on your skin (and your children’s skin) at all times. Children have thinner, more delicate skins than adults and are at higher risk of burning. It is best to use waterproof sun cream because it will wear off more slowly.

Putting your cream on

Firstly, you should put it on 30 minutes before you go in the sun. Then put it on again just before you go out. This gives your skin time to absorb the cream. For the same reason, put it on before moisturiser, make up or insect repellent. It must go on before anything else so it is next to your skin.

Sun creams rub off. Even if they say they are waterproof, they may come off when you are swimming. In order to get the best protection, you must re-apply them often – at least every two hours. And more frequently if it is washed, rubbed or sweated off.

You must apply suncreams thickly. Nearly everyone puts them on much too thinly and so they don’t get as much protection as is specified on the bottle. They often get less than half the protection specified. It is difficult to tell you how much to use on a website, but as the Aussies say, slap it on. You should be able to see and spread it very easily. If it all disappears as soon as you start rubbing it on, you haven’t used enough. Use golf ball sized dollops for small children.

If your whole family only uses one bottle throughout a 2 week holiday, you definitely aren’t putting it on thickly enough. We know it’s expensive, but if you aren’t getting the protection you should, you are just wasting what you have spent. Better to buy more and put it on properly. As a fraction of your holiday cost, it really isn’t very much.

Usually, the higher the SPF, the more the product costs. We’d rather you used factor 15 than were put off altogether by the cost of the higher factor creams and lotions. But for children or if you are very fair skinned, use the highest factor you can afford – and put lots on.

The law on testing suncreams

There are no laws to make manufacturers test sunscreens. But there are laws about what they can say about them. If they say a sunscreen has a particular SPF, it must have been tested, because the manufacturer has to be able to produce the evidence supporting its claim. If a company were to claim that their product had been tested when it hadn’t, they would be breaking the law. There is more information about the law on testing suncreams in our section of questions and answers on CancerHelp UK.

Protecting children from skin cancer

Babies and young children do have thinner, more delicate skin than adults. Because of this, their risk of getting sunburnt is much higher. The information under ‘covering up in the sun’ will give you the main tips on how to protect babies and children in the sun. But there are other things to think about.

The links below will take you to more information on the Cancer Research UK website about children and being ‘SunSmart’. If you want to return to this page you will need to click on your back button or click on any CancerHelp UK logo on the Cancer Research UK website.

We get around 80% of our sun exposure by the age of 21 and much of this exposure occurs when at school. Schools can become more aware of protecting children by

* Developing their own school sun protection policy
* Including sun protection into the school curriculum
* Making sure they provide sufficient shade in the school grounds

Kids are often too busy running around to worry about looking after their skin. But as a parent you can make a real difference to the damage your children receive early in life. You can

* Find out why it is important for parents to protect their children’s skin
* Read tips about how you can keep children safe from the sun

Checking for skin cancers

If you find any new abnormalities on the skin that don’t go away after 4 to 6 weeks or existing ones that are getting bigger you should get your GP to look at them. This is especially important if you are at a high risk of getting skin cancer or have had treatment for a previous skin cancer.

It is also important that you make a habit of checking your own skin. Do this every 6 to 8 weeks. Look at the page on symptoms and risk factors in this section of CancerHelp UK and make sure you know if you are risk and what to look out for.

If your GP is worried that it may be a skin cancer then they will refer you to a skin specialist. How quickly you will get a referral will depend on the type of skin cancer your GP thinks you may have. Depending on local NHS services you may be referred to a rapid access suspected skin cancer clinic. The Department of Health have written guidelines for GPs so they know when to refer someone with a suspected skin cancer to a specialist. You can look at these guidelines for seeing a specialist in this section of CancerHelp UK.

There are private walk in skin clinics in the UK. But before you pay for this type of service, do make sure you know exactly what method of screening they use and whether it is reliable. Check if those carrying out the screening are medically qualified – they often are not. If you want a skin lesion checked then it really is best to see your GP.

Source: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=11957

Weatherwise Clothing provide team wear for the SQ2SQ Team 2008

Weatherwise Clothing of East Cowes, Isle of Wight have supplied teamwear for the SQ2SQ Team 2008.

Weatherwise Clothing have supplied team polo shirts and other team wear for the SQ2SQ Team 2008 and supporters.

Mark Hill of Weatherwise Clothing has provided good advice to the challenge organisers on the best options  for clothing for the team, as well as provided discount for goods for the charity event.

The image shown here is of the SQ2SQ Team 2008 photographed in their SQ2SQ polo shirts supplied by Weatherwise Clothing.

Mark Hill of Weatherwise Clothing can be contacted on 07919 174 525.

‘Binge tanning’ warning to young from Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK has warned young people to avoid ‘binge tanning’.

Young people, in particular, are putting their lives at risk through ‘binge tanning’, with more than a third of under-25s spending more than five hours a day in the sun on holiday, increasing their chances of developing life-threatening skin cancer.

Many are also prepared to increase their risk still further by using a range of tricks, including using baby oil, to speed up their tanning.

The poll, for Cancer Research UK, found that 36% of 15 to 24-year-olds spend more than five hours a day in the sun.

Almost a third (32%) of those polled said they would be happy to increase their time in the sun if they did not feel tanned enough towards the end of their break.

Around one in three (29%) would use sunscreen with a low factor to speed up their tanning, 19% would be happy to go without sunscreen altogether and 15% would use products like baby oil.

Around one in five (17%) think getting sunburnt is just part of the tanning process, while 11% would be prepared to burn if they did not feel tanned enough towards the end of their holiday.

Cancer Research UK dermatologist, Professor Lesley Rhodes, said: “Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the primary cause of skin cancer and responsible for around 80% of cases of melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer.

“In addition to the short term discomfort and impact on appearance, sunburn also causes permanent irreversible damage leading to premature ageing and significantly increases the risk of skin cancer.”

The poll comes after the charity also warned that people under 35 who use sunbeds are increasing their risk of skin cancer by up to 75%.

New guidelines from the Health and Safety Executive, which are still open to consultation, suggest a ban on sunbeds for the under-18s.

Sunbeds

Makers of sunbeds will keep trying to tell you that their type of sunbed is safe. But they aren’t. Sunbeds haven’t been around for long enough for us to prove beyond all doubt that they cause as much malignant melanoma as lying in the sun. But laboratory research has proved that the type of ultraviolet light used in sun beds (UVA) can cause all types of skin cancer. And studies are starting to show that using sunbeds definitely increases the risk of melanoma. In 2007, an analysis of 23 studies reported that people have an increase in risk if they have ever used a sunbed. And the risk was highest for people who had used a sunbed before the age of 35.

The ultraviolet light in the sun is made up of two different wavelengths of light. These are called ultraviolet A and B. Or UVA and UVB. In the mid 80′s, sunbeds that only gave off UVA were developed. We know that it is the UVB in the sun that causes burning. So the manufacturers said UVA alone must be safe because it didn’t burn you. This isn’t true.

Getting a sunbed tan before you go on holiday can also increase the risk of melanoma. There is no such thing as a safe tan. For more information, see our section on preventing melanoma.

Source: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3006#sunbeds (opens in new window)

Dying for a tan – report from Cancer Research Uk in April 2003

Cancer Research UK has consistently warned people to avoid tanning, especially using sunbeds to high levels.

Their press release of 239 April 2003 reads:

More young Brits than ever before are tanning themselves on sunbeds, despite repeated warnings of the dangers of skin cancer, according to leading charity Cancer Research UK.

“What worries us most is the growing evidence of a link between sunbed use and skin cancer”, says Sara Hiom, Cancer Information Expert. “People know the risks but are ignoring them in the quest for a tan.”

The Sunbed Association, which represents operators, manufacturers and suppliers in the UK, has designated today as the first National Sunbed Awareness Day to educate and inform consumers.

Sara Hiom says: “We know a quarter of 16-24 year-olds used a sunbed last year and that even occasional use can result in cancer, eye damage and suppression of the immune system.

“The only advice people need to know is don’t do it. There is no such thing as a safe tan.”

Looking after your skin

Cancer Research UK has consistently warned people to avoid tanning, especially using sunbeds to high levels.

Protecting your skin from the sun

If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, you are at increased risk of getting another one in the future. You must take care in the sun. You should

* Wear close weave cotton clothing in the sun
* Wear long sleeves and trousers
* Wear a hat that shades your face and neck
* Use a high factor sun cream when you are in the sun
* Avoid the sun when it is strongest – between 11am and 3pm
* NEVER use a sun bed

A note about sun creams

The sun protection factor (SPF) shows how much protection the suncream gives you. Factor 15 will filter out 93% of the sun’s harmful rays. The highest protection you can get is factor 60, which will filter out 98% of the sun’s rays.

If you have had skin cancer, you should not take any chances. The SPF is to give you extra protection. It does not mean you can safely sunbathe.

The dangers of sunbathing

It really should be the time to stop chasing the perfect suntan. No strong sun exposure is good for your skin. At best it causes dryness and premature aging. At worst it causes melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

We are all encouraged to believe a good tan looks healthy. But this is only really another fashion. Before this century, a suntan was thought to be unflattering because it meant you worked outdoors and so weren’t a lady or gentleman of leisure. Why not concentrate on looking pale and interesting instead!

Source: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=4368 (opens in new window)

Some SMART advice

Sunburn can double your risk of skin cancer. Basically, you should keep out of the sun when it is at its most intense. You should never use a sun bed. Remember the SunSmart message

* Stay in the shade 11am – 3pm
* Make sure you never burn
* Always cover up
* Remember to take extra care with children
* Then use factor 15+ sunscreen

The SunSmart website has lots of information about protecting you and your children.

Covering up in the sun

It is best to wear long sleeves and long trousers if you are going to be out in hot sun in the middle of the day. The time it is most important to cover up is between 11am and 3pm. This is when the sun is at its most intense. If you are out, sit in the shade.

Wear a hat with a brim to protect both your face and the back of your neck. Babies and children should always wear brimmed hats in the sun. Baseball caps may look smart, but they leave the back of the neck and ears completely exposed. Much better is the ‘foreign legion’ type, with a cloth flap that covers the back of the neck. These are now widely available for babies and young children.

Don’t forget to protect your eyes. Wear good quality, wrap-around sunglasses. Wrap arounds stop the sun from getting in at the sides. Buy these for children too – toy sunglasses can do more harm than good.

If you are in or near water, be aware of the reflection of the sun from the surface of the water. You are much more likely to burn and should cover up or use a complete sun block.

The amount of protection you get from your clothes varies depending on the type of material. The closer the weave of the fabric, the more likely it is to keep the sun off. Thin, loose weave fabrics such as cheesecloth give very little protection. Close weave cotton (T shirt material), gives quite good protection.

In the UK, manufacturers of clothing (particularly children’s clothing) are beginning to put sun protection factor labels in their clothes. The higher the number, the more protection the clothing will give. Wet fabric can stretch and lose most of its ability to protect from the sun. There are now sunsuits available to give children and adults greater protection on the beach.

Suncreams

This is becoming a subject of more and more debate. There are doctors and researchers who are beginning to think that sun creams could be harmful because they encourage people to stay out in the sunshine for longer. They think that the protection the creams give you against burning may not actually stop you increasing your risk of skin cancer by sitting in the sun. The only way to be absolutely sure of reducing your skin cancer risk is to keep out of the sun. And if you must get a tan, do it very gradually. This may cause less damage.

What to buy

Cheap suncreams are just as good as expensive ones. They are all tested the same way and it is the SPF that matters most. Do check the ‘use by’ date. Most creams will last about 2 or 3 years – so it is OK to use last year’s, but not a bottle from 5 years ago!

Sun creams have changed a lot in the past 15 years. There is a huge range and it can be difficult to know what to buy. You should choose one that says it protects against both UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. This may be labelled ‘broad spectrum’.

Then you need to choose the right sun protection factor. We recommend at least factor 15. This is because it gives the best balance between protection and cost. The higher factor creams are more expensive, but do not give much more protection than factor 15. If you use

* Factor 15, only 7% of the harmful rays will get through
* Factor 30, only 4% of the harmful rays will get through
* Factor 60, only 2% of the harmful rays will get through

So you can see, you are getting some more protection with the most expensive creams, but not that much more. There is no suncream that can give you total protection. 98% protection (with factor 60) is about the best you will get.

Don’t assume that because you have put on suncream, you can stay out without burning. Keep an eye on your skin (and your children’s skin) at all times. Children have thinner, more delicate skins than adults and are at higher risk of burning. It is best to use waterproof sun cream because it will wear off more slowly.

Putting your cream on

Firstly, you should put it on 30 minutes before you go in the sun. Then put it on again just before you go out. This gives your skin time to absorb the cream. For the same reason, put it on before moisturiser, make up or insect repellent. It must go on before anything else so it is next to your skin.

Sun creams rub off. Even if they say they are waterproof, they may come off when you are swimming. In order to get the best protection, you must re-apply them often – at least every two hours. And more frequently if it is washed, rubbed or sweated off.

You must apply suncreams thickly. Nearly everyone puts them on much too thinly and so they don’t get as much protection as is specified on the bottle. They often get less than half the protection specified. It is difficult to tell you how much to use on a website, but as the Aussies say, slap it on. You should be able to see and spread it very easily. If it all disappears as soon as you start rubbing it on, you haven’t used enough. Use golf ball sized dollops for small children.

If your whole family only uses one bottle throughout a 2 week holiday, you definitely aren’t putting it on thickly enough. We know it’s expensive, but if you aren’t getting the protection you should, you are just wasting what you have spent. Better to buy more and put it on properly. As a fraction of your holiday cost, it really isn’t very much.

Usually, the higher the SPF, the more the product costs. We’d rather you used factor 15 than were put off altogether by the cost of the higher factor creams and lotions. But for children or if you are very fair skinned, use the highest factor you can afford – and put lots on.

The law on testing suncreams

There are no laws to make manufacturers test sunscreens. But there are laws about what they can say about them. If they say a sunscreen has a particular SPF, it must have been tested, because the manufacturer has to be able to produce the evidence supporting its claim. If a company were to claim that their product had been tested when it hadn’t, they would be breaking the law. There is more information about the law on testing suncreams in our section of questions and answers on CancerHelp UK.

Protecting children from skin cancer

Babies and young children do have thinner, more delicate skin than adults. Because of this, their risk of getting sunburnt is much higher. The information under ‘covering up in the sun’ will give you the main tips on how to protect babies and children in the sun. But there are other things to think about.

The links below will take you to more information on the Cancer Research UK website about children and being ‘SunSmart’. If you want to return to this page you will need to click on your back button or click on any CancerHelp UK logo on the Cancer Research UK website.

We get around 80% of our sun exposure by the age of 21 and much of this exposure occurs when at school. Schools can become more aware of protecting children by

* Developing their own school sun protection policy
* Including sun protection into the school curriculum
* Making sure they provide sufficient shade in the school grounds

Kids are often too busy running around to worry about looking after their skin. But as a parent you can make a real difference to the damage your children receive early in life. You can

* Find out why it is important for parents to protect their children’s skin
* Read tips about how you can keep children safe from the sun

Checking for skin cancers

If you find any new abnormalities on the skin that don’t go away after 4 to 6 weeks or existing ones that are getting bigger you should get your GP to look at them. This is especially important if you are at a high risk of getting skin cancer or have had treatment for a previous skin cancer.

It is also important that you make a habit of checking your own skin. Do this every 6 to 8 weeks. Look at the page on symptoms and risk factors in this section of CancerHelp UK and make sure you know if you are risk and what to look out for.

If your GP is worried that it may be a skin cancer then they will refer you to a skin specialist. How quickly you will get a referral will depend on the type of skin cancer your GP thinks you may have. Depending on local NHS services you may be referred to a rapid access suspected skin cancer clinic. The Department of Health have written guidelines for GPs so they know when to refer someone with a suspected skin cancer to a specialist. You can look at these guidelines for seeing a specialist in this section of CancerHelp UK.

There are private walk in skin clinics in the UK. But before you pay for this type of service, do make sure you know exactly what method of screening they use and whether it is reliable. Check if those carrying out the screening are medically qualified – they often are not. If you want a skin lesion checked then it really is best to see your GP.

Source: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=11957

Fundraising car wash held on Saturday 3 May 2008 raises £1,676.28 for the Square to Square Charity Cycle Challenge 2008

A fundraising car wash, held on Saturday 3 February 2008, at Newport Fire Station, Newport, Isle of Wight, raises £1,676.28 for the Square to Square Charity Cycle Challenge 2008.

Members of the SQ2SQ Team, firefighters from Newport, Headquarters Support Staff, Isle of Wight Fire Control Centre staff, Wessex Cancer Trust volunteers, family and friends completed seven hours of car washing and raised an impressive £1,676.28 for the cycle challenge.

Thank you to all those who took part and all who had their car (and coaches) washed and donated to the appeal.

The grand total for the Square to Square Charity Cycle Challenge 2008 is a superb £29,441.28 as at 3 May 2008.

Kalaswear provide Team Pro kit for the SQ2SQ Team 2008

The design for the SQ2SQ Team 2008 kit has now been completed and the order placed with Kalaswear.

Over the last couple of months, following receipt of corporate sponsorship from various local, national and international businesses, the design for the kit has been undertaken.

Kalaswear provide customised cycling clothing, designed by cyclists for cyclists. Their aim is to deliver tailormade cycling clothing that will satisfy your every requirement with regard to functionality, quality and design. We want you to ride hard and look good!

The kit was designed by Mari at the Kalaswear Head Office in Oslo, Norway, whilst the Kalaswear in the UK is run by Andrew Crocker and Paul Hazelton.

Locally, Gamson Gray added the many logos from the sponsors to the design received from Kalaswear.

Kalaswear very kindly have provided some discount for the team for the production of the Team Pro kit, including upgrade of the material used and the very highest quality pad for the shorts suited to the long distance endurance challenge the SQ2SQ Team are undertaking.

As can be seen on the image to the right the design looks superb and the team are very much looking forward to receiving their team kit.

The kit ordered will provides the cyclists with short and long sleeve jerseys, bibshorts and gillets.

Now the kit has been ordered delivery is expected within the next 7-8 weeks.

Once delivered the SQ2SQ Team 2008 will be photographed in their new Team-Pro kit form Kalaswear.

Corporate sponsors for the SQ2SQ Team 2008 are: All links to websites open into a new window Minghella Icecream, GKN Aerospace, Wright Estate Agency, The Met Wine Bar Ventnor, isleofwight.com, Carisbrooke Schools Sports Partnership, Warner Leisure Hotels, Island Fasteners and Fixings, The Meade Hampstead Hotel, Isle of Wight Cycling Festival, Moreys, Sydenhams, Steve Porter Transport Group, Island Planetarium, Ashey Road Garage, Ryde Taxis Arrow Developments (IW) Limited, BAE Systems, Blanchard Wells, Barratt Homes, Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa, Churchill Retirement Living. Deloitte. Fastnet Marine Insurance, Fleming Developments UK, Hughes Ellard, Italia Zuccheri Commerciale, Lloyds TSB Commercial, Paris Smith & Randell LLP Solicitors, Teleflorist, Tenon, Upton McGougal Consulting Engineers, Wight Mountain and Gamson Gray.

Kalaswear provide team kits for local, national and international cycling teams.

Mosr recently they have provided team kit for the Artic-Premier Race Team (pictured below) and have recently been chosen by the Qatar National Cycling Team for their cyclewear.

Artic_Premier Race Team: Danny Axford, Jon Dayus, Jody Crawforth, Andy Profitt, James Dobbin, Darren Barclay, Jon-Kris Mason, Matt Holmes, Alistair Tulett, Simon Wilson, Tim Bayley, David Law and Dave McGaw.

Source: http://www.kalaswear.com/news.html All rights acknowledged.

More details on the Artic Premier Race Team:

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/roa/News2008/20080303_arctic_launch_2008_team.asp

Corporate Sponsors of the Charity Cycle Challenge Team 2008

Corporate and individual sponsors are being invited to sponsor the Square to Square Charity Cycle Challenge team by sponsoring a square on the team’s drill tops and t-shirts; with the square to the front of the tops at £300, whilst a sleeve at £500. You can contact us here for more information.

Corporate sponsors for the Square to Square Team 2008:

All links to websites open into a new window

Minghella Icecream

GKN Aerospace

Wright Estate Agency

The Met Wine Bar Ventnor, Isle of Wight

www.isleofwight.com

Carisbrooke Schools Sports Partnership

Warner Leisure Hotels

Island Fasteners and Fixings

The Meade Hampstead Hotel

Isle of Wight Cycling Festival

Moreys

Sydenhams

Steve Porter Transport Group

Island Planetarium

Ashey Road Garage

Ryde Taxis

Arrow Developments (IW) Limited

BAE Systems

Blanchard Wells

Barratt Homes

Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa

Churchill Retirement Living

Deloitte

Fastnet Marine Insurance

Fleming Developments UK

Hughes Ellard

Italia Zuccheri Commerciale

Lloyds TSB Commercial

Paris Smith & Randell LLP Solicitors

Teleflorist

Tenon

Upton McGougan Consulting Engineers

LD Lines

Wight Mountain

If you are a local or national business and would like to sponsor the team then please contact us.

SQ2SQ Team exceed their target of raising £25,000 for the diagnosis, treatment and care of Isle of Wight cancer and leukaemia patient after eight months of fundraising

Following the kind donation from Wight Strollers of £2,500 the SQ2SQ Team 2008 are pleased to announce that the target of £25,000 has been exceeded.

This is fantastic news and a reflection of the response from the public and businesses to the appeal, along with the hard work and time devoted to the challenge appeal since the appeal was launched in August 2007.

The SQ2SQ Charity Cycle Challenge Appeal 2008 total now stands at £27,765. A big thank you to all who have kindly donated to the appeal to date.

The money has been donated by many individuals, business and groups, along with the SQ2SQ Team 2008 fundraising with various events including charity car washes, collections at local stores and other promotional events.

The SQ2SQ Team are to continue their fundraising efforts and the target has now been raised to £40,000.

The SQ2SQ Team 2008 are continuing to make visits to all Isle of Wight schools as part of their promotion for the SQ2SQ Charity Cycle Challenge 2008 and the roll out of British Cycling’s Go-Ride scheme for all Isle of Wight pupils.

The SQ2SQ Charity Cycle Challenge 2008 will see a team of Isle of Wight firefigthers cycling 1,400 miles each from St Thomas’ Square, Newport, Isle of Wight to St Peter’s Square, Vatican, Italy in September 2008.

The Team start their challenge on Saturday 30th August 2008.

Wight Strollers donate £2,500 to the SQ2SQ Charity Cycle Challenge Appeal 2008

Wight Strollers have very kindly donated £2,500 to the SQ2SQ Charity Cycle Challenge Appeal 2008.

The money was raised from their production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The SQ2SQ Team 2008 received the donation on Sunday 27 April 2008 and offer their sincere thanks to all at Wight Strollers for their hardwork and generosity.