Riders get rolling to help abused children

They started in Hoffman Estates and they’re bound for St. Louis — all by bicycle.

The inaugural Stop the Cycle of Abuse Ride got rolling Wednesday with a goal of raising $150,000 for 39 child advocacy centers across Illinois.

For the first part of the six-leg, 360-mile tour, participants pedalled through the suburbs — from the Children’s Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County in Hoffman Estates south to the Jeanine Nicarico Children’s Advocacy Center in Wheaton.

Now the trek continues on to Joliet, Pontiac, Bloomington, Springfield and Staunton before reaching its final destination on Monday, the St. Louis, Mo., Charter School.

The fundraiser sponsored by Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois benefits support programs for victims of child abuse. Last year, more than 10,000 children were referred to advocacy centers for forensic interviews and medical and mental health treatment, among other services.

To donate, call (217) 528-2224 or visit stopthecycle.net.