BORDERS cycling event company, Hillside Outside, have announced that they will be partnering with Kidney Research UK once again for their Tour O The Borders sportive.

This will be the second year the UK charity has been chosen as the event's partner.

The partnership was formed after one of the sportive's participants was diagnosed with late-stage kidney failure in 2018, meaning he had to drop out of the competition that year.

Joseph McLean, who was only 22 years old at the time, received a successful kidney transplant in 2019 from his father Tim, and both competed in the 2019 Tour O The Borders, raising £1,600 for Kidney Research UK and Hillside Outside donating a further £2000.

Cyclists who wish to take part in the 2020 Tour O The Borders, powered by Pirelli sportive, can either sign-up for the event as an individual rider or as a team.

Participants can also choose whether they want to ride as part of 'Team Kidney' or as a regular cyclist.

Those who decide to join Team Kidney commit to raising a minimum of £250 in sponsorship for Kidney Research UK, and in return will receive a team kit, support before and during the event and a Team Kidney medal and certificate.

Anyone who signed up and didn't select Team Kidney are encouraged to still fundraise for the charity.

Harley Lothian, marketing manager for Hillside Outside, told us: “We are committed to demonstrating the many benefits of cycling through our event programme and Tim and Joseph’s inspirational story exhibited just how phenomenal these benefits can be.

“We are delighted to take this partnership forward for another year and continue to support the fantastic work that Kidney Research UK do each day in stopping this disease in its tracks.”

Tour O The Borders begins on Sunday, September 6 and leaves from Peebles on two closed-road routes - 88km or 120km, around the Borders.

To book a charity place, visit tourotheborders.com