A sportswear company from Middlesbrough has created and donated kit for a major event in Monte Carlo.

Vivendi Apparel, which specialises in compression wear, is working with riders in this month’s charity fundraising ‘Cycling with Champions Challenge’ to be raced later this month.

The challenge, where cyclists select their own distance target from a 30km or tougher 85km route distance, will be run on Friday, September 24th and is raising funds for Caudwell Children, the charity founded by John Caudwell, one of Britain’s most influential entrepreneurs and philanthropists, which works to change the lives of disabled children by delivering support to their families.

Among VIPs taking up this year’s Challenge – the sixth in the annual series - and wearing Vivendi Apparel kit is former Lithuania Olympic cyclist Modesta Vžesniauskaitė, John Caudwell’s partner.

The race culminates in a Butterfly Ball for participants in the glamorous Monaco capital with Prince Albert of Monaco among previous guests.

“We couldn’t be more proud to have been chosen to design and provide the cycling kit for participants", said founder Elizabeth Davies.

"We hope this relationship can continue to blossom to help raise much-needed funds towards Caudwell Children’s efforts.

"It’s wonderful when organisations can collaborate together to positively improve the lives of others, something we as a brand and a team, hold very close to our hearts,”

Vivendi’s support doesn’t end with the cycling challenge. It has also secured a partnership with Caudwell which has seen it rename its Plum C180 compression wear to Caudwell Purple with £5 being donated to the charity for every item from the range sold.

The company launched in 2018, originating in medical-grade compression wear that aids sufferers of spinal injuries and chronic disorders such as fibromyalgia and lymphedema.

With the compression wear's medical benefits, Vivendi Apparel began introducing its specialist wear to injured jockeys and horse riders before the brand exploded onto the fitness scene in its first two years.