Celebrate Shankly landmark with Robbie
Places are still available for a unique charity bike ride organised by the Liverpool FC Foundation to honour legendary Reds manager Bill Shankly in the lead-up to the 100th anniversary since his birth.
Former Liverpool players Robbie Fowler and Steve Harkness will participate in the once-in-a-lifetime cycling event, which has been arranged as part of the club's wider plans for the landmark occasion.
A total of 150 places are on offer to ride alongside Fowler and Harkness during the four-day, 270-mile journey, which begins on August 29 and concludes on September 1.
Starting at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, the route will pass through Ayrshire to Shankly's place of birth, Glenbuck. The second leg will take the participants to Carlisle, where the great Scot began his playing career.
From there the riders will tackle the gruelling peaks of the Lake District, with its inspirational scenery, and visit Preston North End - who Shankly represented for 16 years - and the Shankly Kop.
The fourth day features Merseyside; the journey will pass the hallowed turf of Anfield before concluding at Liverpool's Pier Head after covering a distance of more than 10 marathons.
"We all know how much Bill Shankly has done for Liverpool FC," commented Fowler, who recently collected his method of transport and kicked off a gruelling training programme.
"So for me to be involved in this unique ride in memory of the great man is fantastic. I'm really looking forward to the challenge and it's for a great cause and hopefully plenty of fun."
Fowler's Hercules SL Model bike, kindly donated by Dolan Bikes,will subsequently be auctioned off with profits going to the Foundation's programmes. Reds midfielder and Foundation ambassador, Lucas Leiva, has also donated a pair of match-worn boots for auction.
Picked up bike from @Dolan_Bikes today Glasgow-Liverpool charity ride for the great man..shanks Looks great. Thank u pic.twitter.com/EH7LdkyReH
— Robbie Fowler (@Robbie9Fowler) July 2, 2013
Money raised by the ride will be used to support the Foundation's ongoing community projects, as well as funding accommodation, food and medical services for the participants.
Mark Haig, head of operations at the Liverpool FC Foundation, said: "The Shankly bike ride promises to be a great experience for cyclists of all ages and abilities to take part in a unique event and raise money for charity along the way.
"Not only will it be an exceptional and challenging route, it will also be a fun and enjoyable experience, with the possibility of having a kickaround with some LFC legends.
"The money raised will go towards our Foundation's community programmes which provide opportunities that inspire positive change and build better futures for people from all backgrounds and abilities."
For more details about this unique event or to book your cycling place alongside Fowler and Harkness, click here. Visit the Liverpool FC Foundation website for the latest news.