Heavy Metal Truants virtual Download Festival charity bike ride smashes target
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Last updated 8th Jun 2020
The Heavy Metal Truants’ virtual 175-mile charity cycle ride has smashed the initial target of £66,666 on the very first day.
Every June for the past eight years, The Heavy Metal Truants have embarked on an arduous three-day charity cycle trek from London to Donington Park for the start of Download Festival.
With Download Festival not happening this year, The Heavy Metal Truants have organised The Eighth Of Spades Virtual Ride instead, and almost 500 people from 34 countries across the globe signing up to take part – including Planet Rock’s very own Paul Anthony and Thunder’s Luke Morley.
Riders have had from Monday 1st June to this coming Friday (12th June) to complete the 175 mile ride – equivalent from riding from London’s Hammersmith to Castle Donington – on anything with a pedal that can be tracked with the freely available Strava mileage logging app.
Testament to the generosity of our beloved rock and metal community, the initial target of £66,666 was smashed on the very first day of the virtual and a second target of £100,000 has also been duly obliterated. At the time of writing the total amount raised is £117,360.
All donations will be divided amongst four children’s charities - Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff Robbins, Childline and Save The Children.
Head to the Heavy Metal Truants website for more details and to register. It’s still not too late to take part and registration is free!
Founded by Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood and journalist Alexander Milas, the Heavy Metal Truants cycling collective have already raised a massive £681,500 thanks to their heroic biking endeavours.
"We were heartbroken to see Download festival cancel, a decision which we of course fully support," says Alexander Milas. "We weren't happy to sit on the side-lines either, particular when the needs of these charities are now greater than ever, so we got planning - this is the metal way."
Rod Smallwood adds: "Metal is all about community. Today we're calling on that community to help the most vulnerable among in the name of metal and these four incredible children's charities. On yer bikes!"
The Heavy Metal Truants have enjoyed the backing and personal support from some of the biggest rock acts on the planet over the years, including Iron Maiden, The Who, Slipknot, Saxon, Thin Lizzy, Metallica, KISS, Def Leppard and Queen.
You can check out the schedule for the virtual Download Festival taking place this weekend, Download TV 2020, RIGHT HERE.
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