About the challenge
What is Cycle for Smart Works?
Cycle for Smart Works is our annual fundraising challenge which celebrates International Women’s Day and raises vital funds for Smart Works. Each team of five has a target of 500 miles to complete collectively in the week leading up to 8th March (International Women’s Day). Individuals can take part on any bike they like, and teams do not need to be physically together to join in the fun.
Is there a registration fee?
No, it is completely free to sign up to the challenge.
Who can take part?
We welcome anyone and everyone to take on the challenge and Cycle for Smart Works. The target of 500 miles can be shared amongst your five team members as you see best to make sure everyone can contribute.
Is my team restricted to five members?
Yes. Each team should be made up of five members to make sure the challenge is fair.
How can I get an exclusive Cycle for Smart Works 2023 t-shirt?
The first 500 participants to receive a £5 donation on their page will receive a Cycle for Smart Works 2023 t-shirt. Top tip: self-donate in order to receive your t-shirt sooner!
How do I use the email signatures Smart Works have provided?
Firstly, download your favourite email signature from the resources
section. Find your email signature in the settings of your email account (top tip: you can always search ‘signature’ if it’s tricky to find). Next, insert or paste the image into your email signature. Finally, you can add a hyperlink to your team’s fundraising page by clicking on the graphic, selecting the ‘insert link’ button and pasting the link to your JustGiving page.Where can I submit photos?
We would love to see your Cycle for Smart Works photos and hear your stories! Use the hashtag #CycleforSmartWorks when sharing on social media or email your Cycle stories to cycle@smartworks.org.uk
How can I join the participant Facebook group?
Join our Facebook group here. We will be posting updates, top tips and Star Cyclists throughout the challenge.
Signing up
How do I create a team?
If you are the first person from your team to sign up (the ‘Team Captain’), then you will need to create a team.
After you’ve completed the registration form, you will be given the option to create a team. Simply click the ‘Create a team’ button and follow the steps.
How do I join a team?
Cycle for Smart Works 2023 has now closed. Please email cycle@smartworks.org.uk if you are interested in taking part next year!
I can no longer take part in Cycle for Smart Works, but I have already signed-up. What should I do?
Cycle for Smart Works 2023 has now closed. Please email cycle@smartworks.org.uk if you are interested in taking part next year!
I can’t see my company/organisation on the sign up form. Who should I contact?
If you would like a bespoke leaderboard to see and track all teams from your workplace, contact cycle@smartworks.org.uk
Why do I see an error when trying to join a team?
When you try to join a team and see the error message "Your page must be raising money for the same charity as this team", you have selected a team that is participating in the challenge as part of a different region. All team members must fundraise for the same region in this challenge.
Fundraising
How much do I need to raise?
We ask for a fundraising target of £500 per team. There are prizes to be won for the top fundraisers, so encourage your friends, family and colleagues to dig deep!
How can I hit my fundraising target?
Check out the Welcome Pack
for fundraising tips and advice from Smart Works and JustGiving.Where does the money go?
The money you raise will go towards your chosen Smart Works centre and will support our mission: for any woman who needs our help to be able to find her way to Smart Works. With your help, we will be able to reach and help more women across the UK with the clothing, coaching and confidence they need to get the job and transform their lives.
Where and how do I pay my sponsorship money in?
If you are raising money via your JustGiving page, all your sponsorship is automatically transferred to Smart Works.
If you are raising money offline and would like to send a cheque and/or cash donation to Smart Works, either upload it directly to your JustGiving page or email cycle@smartworks.org.uk
You can add offline donations to your fundraising page to make sure your total is up to date.
Can people add Gift Aid to their donations?
Of course. UK taxpayers can increase the value of their donations by 25%. This means that if they donate £10, Smart Works will receive an extra £2.50 – at no additional cost to the donor. As the fundraiser, you don’t need to do anything other than spread the word. JustGiving will automatically ask your sponsors if they’re eligible for Gift Aid and pass on the money in full.
How can I customise and update my JustGiving page?
We recommend updating the photos and text on your JustGiving page, as well as posting regular updates to let your supporters know how you’re getting on with the challenge.
Our friends at JustGiving have provided their expert advice on boosting your online fundraising– read more here
Can the team page receive donations?
No, it isn't possible to make a donation for a whole team. We recommend you contribute to one member of the team, but all donations will collect to the team’s total.
Completing the challenge
How should I complete my miles?
You are welcome to cycle your way to your team target of 500 miles on any bike that you like. This could be on a stationary bike in the gym, in a group spin class or outside on a mountain bike – or a combination!
Where should I complete my miles?
This is completely up to you and your team. You can cycle anywhere you like, and you do not need to be physically with your teammates to complete your miles. We recommend a WhatsApp group to stay in touch and add up the miles each day.
How do I upload the miles I have completed to my JustGiving fundraising page?
You are welcome to connect your Stava account with your individual fundraising page (JustGiving have some helpful tips here
) to log your miles automatically or you can keep track of your miles in any way you like and add them manually. For detailed instructions, read our guide to logging miles here.How do I find my team on the official Leaderboards?
You can expand both the Distance and Fundraising Leaderboards
to see where your team sits.
How can I connect with other cyclists via Strava?
Join our Strava club here or by searching Cycle for Smart Works
How can I link Strava to my JustGiving page?
Read JustGiving’s helpful guide here
.Further Questions
I still have questions. Who can I contact?
Please email cycle@smartworks.org.uk
and our friendly team will be happy to help.