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Gloucestershire Business News

A fitting tribute to school's brave Olympic cyclist

The Cotswold School has announced details of an event in honour of former pupil and Olympic team member Sharon Laws.

Sharon was part of the 2008 Summer Olympics cycling team in Beijing and the same year won the British National Time Trial Championships.

Sadly in late 2016 Sharon was diagnosed with cancer and after a year long battle with the disease died in December, 2017.

The Cotswold School at Bourton-on-the-Water is holding the inaugural Sharon Laws Sportive in association with British Cycling and raising funds for Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and The Cotswold School new community Pavilion.

The event takes place on Saturday 7th July 2018, Sharon's birthday date and includes a 43-mile route, one mile for every year of Sharon's wonderful and remarkable life.

Sharon's Mother Joy will unveil a plaque on the morning of the Sportive. Bourton-on-the-Water Parish Council, in liaison with Joy, have arranged for this lasting tribute to Sharon. In addition, Cotswold District Council will arrange for two of Sharon's shirts which she signed, to be framed.

Following the unveiling, Joy will open the family cycle ride. This event is a much shorter route and will start at 10.30 am.

Will Morgan, principal, said: "We are delighted that Joy has offered to open the family cycle route. Sharon was a lovely lady, a fantastic cyclist and a good friend of the school. We are honoured that Joy will be here."

Read more: Cyclists honour memory of local Olympian Sharon Laws 

Laura Winter, TV presenter, commentator, event host and member of the team @Voxwomen, new the cyclist: "Sharon was a much loved bike rider and teammate and a wonderful friend and colleague to me. I think of her every time I ride my bike in the Cotswolds, remembering the tough rides we did in the last year of her life.

"Even facing a huge battle with cancer she inspired me every day with her positivity, her mental resilience and that infectious laugh. It is so fitting the area will honour and remember her life with this event which I'm sure will be a real celebration of cycling, the sport she loved so dearly."

. Monies raised from this Sportive will be divided 50/50 between Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and The Cotswold School. Visit http://bit.ly/SharonLawsSportive  for more information and to sign up.

Volunteers are still needed for the event, contact Kathryn Allison, Marketing@thecotswoldschool.co.uk

The Sharon Laws Sportive

Saturday 7th July 2018, (Sharon's birthday)

A shorter loop for children and families of 14.3 miles at £5.00 pp

The 43-mile Sharon Laws tribute route at £20.00 pp

The longer 'challenge' route at 70-miles is £30.00 pp

The route will leave from The Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water. Please visit www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/173195/Sharon-Laws-Sportive for more information

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