KBS Pro Cycling kicks off fundraising efforts for World Bicycle Relief

The Kelly Benefit Strategies Pro Cycling Team is proud to announce that more than $42,000 has been raised as it kicks off a yearlong fundraising drive in support of World Bicycle Relief.

A gathering at the home of Kelly Benefit Strategies President John Kelly and his wife, Tee, served as the opening event on May 16, on the eve of the KELLY Cup race in Baltimore. Guests heard from F.K. Day, president of World Bicycle Relief, about the organization’s commitment to building comprehensive bicycle programs in underdeveloped regions of the world, and from John Kelly and members of the team about their pledge to support World Bicycle Relief by raising funds and awareness throughout the racing season.

World Bicycle Relief staff then joined the team for a weeklong series of events throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

“The generosity of everyone we encounter continues to amaze me,” Kelly says. “What started as an idea of getting the team involved in World Bicycle Relief has grown to be so much more.”

The partnership will see KBS athletes promoting World Bicycle Relief’s work and then traveling to Africa after the season ends to witness it first-hand. Future events will include a benefit auction of a “hot lap” at this weekend’s TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Classic, a reception following the Chicago Criterium in July and others before the planned trip in October

Supporters can visit www.kbsprocycling.com/zambia to learn more.

“This partnership is an example of the power of bicycles in action,” according to Day. “The KBS Pro Cycling Team rides at the highest level of performance in their sport. Likewise, a simple bike in the hands of a man, woman or child fighting for their education, livelihood and community enables a level of performance that saves lives and can rewrite the future for a family.”

World Bicycle Relief was founded by SRAM Corporation in 2005 and is supported by many leaders in the bicycle industry. The organization specializes in large-scale, comprehensive bicycle programs by providing supply chain management, technical knowledge and logistics expertise to poverty relief and disaster assistance initiatives. To date, more than 50,000 new bicycles have been provided in support of healthcare, education and economic development opportunities.

More information is available at www.worldbicyclerelief.org .

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