What is Cycle for Hope?

Cycle for Hope is a mission-driven cycling journey that combines endurance, faith, adventure, and fundraising to support football ministry and community impact projects. It began in 2009–2010 with an extraordinary journey through Africa.

What does the 2026 ride support?

The 2026 campaign is helping raise funds toward the Hope Football Pitch in Senegal — a safer, higher-quality artificial turf space for young people, schools, camps, and community use. The total project cost is £50,000 and Cycle for Hope aims to raise £25,000 of that.

Can I support without cycling?

Absolutely. You can donate, become a sponsor, host the team along the route, connect churches, or help promote the campaign on social media. Every form of support is genuinely valued.

How can churches get involved?

We are seeking church partners who can help with overnight accommodation, camping space, showers, toilets, and hospitality. We also welcome opportunities to share about the ministry or run outreach activities with local communities.

What is the route for the 2026 ride?

The 2026 ride travels from Hagerstown, Maryland to Marietta, Georgia — approximately 790+ miles through 4 states (MD, VA, NC, GA). Key stops include Laurel, Richmond, Charlotte, Toccoa, and Marietta.

How do I become a sponsor?

We offer three sponsorship tiers: Main Sponsor (£1,000 / ~$1,250), Key Sponsor (£250 / ~$315), and Support Sponsor (£100 / ~$125). Each offers logo placement across teamwear, the website, and campaign materials. Use the sponsor enquiry form on the website to get in touch.

Is this a faith-based organisation?

Yes. Cycle for Hope is rooted in Christian faith and the mission of Hope Football — a football ministry that uses the sport as a vehicle to bring hope, build community, and create opportunities for young people in Senegal.

Riding together for brighter futures · USA 2026

Ride for hope. Build something lasting.

Cycle for Hope is a mission-driven cycling journey stretching back to Africa in 2009. In 2026, the story continues — a new ride down the East Coast of America to help fund the Hope Football Pitch in Senegal.

Donate Now Become a Sponsor Join the Journey

2009

Founded

Major expeditions

£25,000

Fundraising target

2026

Next chapter

Scroll

How It Started

How it started

Cycle for Hope was sparked by a historic moment — the first FIFA World Cup held on African soil in 2010. Robert Cuthbert, from Northern Ireland, had grown up in Africa and wanted to reach beyond South Africa where the World Cup was being held and share the message of hope in Jesus.

What was seemingly just a crazy idea turned into a 6-month expedition down Africa. A core team of 10 cyclists completed the full route, while around 40 others joined along the way for different stages. Together, they experienced the richness of African cultures firsthand, met thousands of people, and had opportunities to share their faith — at churches, events, and even on national TV and radio.

That first journey laid the foundation for what Cycle for Hope is today.

15+

Years of impact

25+

Countries ridden

1000s

Lives touched

The journey that started it

Africa, 2010 — where it all began.

Community at the heart

The people who make it all worthwhile.

Timeline

From Africa to America

A real story, built over years, carrying the same heartbeat into a new season.

2009

The vision begins

The original Cycle for Hope idea was born, sparked by the first World Cup on African soil.

2010

Africa expedition

A remarkable cycling journey through Africa laid the foundation for everything that followed.

2012

Northern Ireland to Poland

Cycle for Hope continued into Europe during the European Championships.

2014

Around Ireland

A home-grown World Cup journey that kept the mission moving.

2016

Northern Ireland to France

The Euros provided the backdrop for another chapter of endurance and witness.

2025

Northern Senegal

A fresh expression of the journey, tied closely to football ministry in Senegal.

2026

USA 2026 →

From Hagerstown, Maryland to Marietta, Georgia — a new chapter riding for brighter futures.

Learn more

Cycle for Hope USA 2026

Hagerstown to Marietta

This year's ride is the next chapter in a much bigger story. A journey of endurance and shared purpose, connecting supporters, riders, churches, and communities around a vision of hope.

📍

Start

Hagerstown, MD

🏁

Finish

Marietta, GA

🚴

Distance

790+ miles

🎯

Target

£25,000

Campaign total£25,000 target

£1,760 raisedDonate →

Support the ride View the route

The 2026 team

The Cuthbert Family

Founding team

The Lucas Family

Riders

Keith Calvin

Rider

Amy Wethers

Rider

Reuben Finlay

Rider

Ben McDowell

Rider

The route

Maryland to Georgia

Approximately 790+ miles through Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia — a journey of endurance, faith, and community.

Start: Hagerstown, MD

End: Marietta, GA

19-Day Itinerary · July 2026

WedJul 1

Hagerstown → Leesburg, VA

ThuJul 2

Leesburg → Warrenton, VA

FriJul 3

Warrenton → Fredericksburg, VA

SatJul 4

Fredericksburg → Ashland, VA

SunJul 5

⛪ Church in Ashland

MonJul 6

Ashland → South Hill

TueJul 7

South Hill → Durham

WedJul 8

Durham → Sanford

ThuJul 9

Sanford → Albemarle

FriJul 10

Albemarle → Charlotte

SatJul 11

⛪ Day off. Cycle for Hope event

SunJul 12

⛪ Steele Creek Church, Charlotte, NC

MonJul 13

Charlotte → Gaffney

TueJul 14

Gaffney → Greenville

WedJul 15

Greenville → Toccoa

ThuJul 16

⛪ Rest Day in Toccoa

FriJul 17

Toccoa → Gainesville

SatJul 18

Gainesville → Marietta

SunJul 19

⛪ Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta

Distance

790+

miles · 4 states

Duration

days · Jul 1–19

Church & host partners needed

We're seeking churches along the route who can provide overnight stays, meals, and showers.

Offer to host

The project

The Hope Football Pitch Project

Transforming a sandy, dusty pitch in Senegal into a high-quality artificial turf field that will serve young people, schools, camps, and the wider community for years to come.

🛡️

Safer playing surface

Artificial turf replaces the dusty, uneven sandy ground — reducing injuries and enabling year-round play.

⚽

Better development

Consistent conditions allow for improved training programmes and skill development for young players.

🏆

Larger events

A quality pitch opens the door to bigger camps, tournaments, and regional competitions.

🤝

Community hub

The pitch becomes a shared space for schools, churches, women's sport, and community gatherings.

As the ministry continues to grow, the need for better facilities becomes more urgent. Cycle for Hope aims to raise £25,000 — contributing toward the remaining £50,000 needed to complete the project.

Give to the project Sponsor the journey

Before

The vision

78%funded

Total project cost

£230,000

£180,000 raised so far

£50,000 still needed — that's us

Sponsorship opportunities

Partner with us and make a lasting impact

Sponsors receive strong local and digital exposure through teamwear branding, website visibility, campaign materials, events, and media coverage.

Best visibility

Main Sponsor

£1,000/ ~$1,250

Main logo on teamwear

Logo on publications, website, and events

Primary visibility across all campaign materials

Stand with the journey

Whether you give, sponsor, host, or ride — every expression of support brings the vision one step closer.

Give

Support the vision

Every contribution helps bring the Hope Football Pitch closer to reality and supports a long-term vision of football, faith, and community impact in Senegal.

🇬🇧

UK donors

Gift Aid increases your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you.

Donate (UK)

🌍

International donors

GivingSpace accepts donations securely from anywhere in the world.

Give internationally

Where does the money go?

100% of donations fund the Hope Football Pitch in Senegal — a £230,000 project run by Hope Football, a faith-based sports ministry. Cycle for Hope is raising £25,000 of the remaining £50,000 needed. UK donations are processed securely through PayHere. International donations through TrustBridge GivingSpace.

Join the journey