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Please note donations from a ‘connected person’ of Life Cycle 3 riders are not eligible for Gift Aid. A 'connected person' is:
Professor David Greenaway has been Vice-Chancellor of The University of Nottingham since 2008. He is also a Professor of Economics and established the Leverhulme Centre for Research on Globalisation and Economic Policy. Click for more.
His research interests lie primarily in the fields of exporting and productivity; cross-border investment and international trade and economic development. See the full biography on the Vice-Chancellor's website.
So here we go again! This year I will cycle around the capitals and major cities of the UK and Republic of Ireland - including Nottingham of course. I'm doing it because stroke rehabilitation has the power to transform lives for stroke survivors.
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Professor Karen Cox took up her new post as Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 1 January 2013 following her tenure as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Infrastructure, Environment and Information Services. A Professor of Cancer and Palliative Care and a Registered Nurse, she is a former Head of the School of Nursing at the University of Nottingham. Click for more.
Karen's academic and research interests include information provision, decision-making and quality of life in relation to cancer treatment trials and palliative care. Her research investigates the experiences of patients and their families and examines how they deal with a cancer diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
There were times during Life Cycle 2 that I said to myself "I'm not going to do this again". Cycling for on average 80 miles a day over 12-13 days is tough. However, I think this cycling lark must be a bit addictive because when presented with the opportunity to do Life Cycle 3 I found myself saying yes! So I'm training again; out at the weekends wondering why I still don’t look like those sleek fast racer types that always seem to zip by me at high speed but also delighted by the thought of being with a great team for a couple of weeks raising money for stroke rehabilitation research. A stroke can change a life in an instant, if I can help make a difference to how someone recovers from that kind of life event by riding my bike long distances, then I am happy to do so. Please sponsor me!
There were times during Life Cycle 2 that I said to myself "I'm not going to do this again". Cycling for on average 80 miles a day over 12-13 days is tough. However, I think this cycling lark must be a bit addictive because when presented with the opportunity to do Life Cycle 3 I found myself saying yes! So I'm training again; out at the weekends wondering why I still don’t look like those sleek fast racer types that always seem to zip by me at high speed but also delighted by the thought of being with a great team for a couple of weeks raising money for stroke rehabilitation research.
A stroke can change a life in an instant, if I can help make a difference to how someone recovers from that kind of life event by riding my bike long distances, then I am happy to do so. Please sponsor me!
Steve Wright has been working at The University of Nottingham for three years as one of the University’s chauffeurs. He started out with Sir Colin Campbell as a private contractor, and over the years has been made full time and he now drives many more people to meetings, airports and functions. Click for more.
Steve has always taken an active role in fundraising through sport, including, in 2005, running from Worksop to London, then completing the London Marathon (equivalent to running 9 marathons in 10 days). This was to raise money to build special facilities for a disabled girl in his sons’ school, for which he was given the Bassetlaw Achiever’s Award by Bassetlaw Council. He was planning another big sporting fund raiser when the Life Cycle came along. He does a lot of bike riding and The Life Cycle will be his my most challenging ride yet, but sure to be the most enjoyable and definitely all worthwhile.
Life Cycles 1 and 2 were amazing and fulfilling experiences on lots of levels, so when Life Cycle 3 was announced I couldn’t stay away. There are many fundraising events held in our country, but I truly believe that worthwhile causes need people to go the extra distance and really push the limits to raise much needed funds. Life Cycle 3 will be longer and tougher but when such a difference can be made to stroke survivors' lives, how could I say no?
Professor Marion Walker, MBE, is Professor in Stroke Rehabilitation, at the University's Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing. She is an occupational therapist by professional background and a Fellow of the College of Occupational Therapists. Marion has managed and steered many randomised controlled trials of stroke rehabilitation. Her trial involvement includes service evaluations of occupational therapy for stroke patients not admitted to hospital, multi disciplinary stroke teams, intermediate care, day centre care for young stroke patients, occupational therapy and physiotherapy provision in nursing homes and occupational therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease. Click for more.
Marion is a National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigator and as such has been recognised as one of the nation's most outstanding leaders of clinical and applied health.
Her trial experience also involves evaluations of specific components of stroke therapy including leisure, dressing, mobility and behavioural approaches in patients with aphasia and depression. Marion is also Associate Director for Rehabilitation and Associate Director for Portfolio Development of the UK Stroke Research Network and a Trustee of the Stroke Association.
Stroke Rehabilitation research has been my life long passion. Stroke not only affects individuals in a cruel and often devasting way but has a significant impact on the lives of their carers and friends. Sadly the effects of stroke can be long lasting and this is why I feel this is such a worthy cause. I have been working in this area for the whole of my career and have seen the positive impact that our research can make on individuals lives. It is fabulous to know that our work is helping shape the services and treatments that stroke survivors and their families receive. This is why I am prepared to get on a bike again...for the first time in 40 years!!
Kate Robertson joined The University of Nottingham from The University of Liverpool, as Director of Development and Alumni Relations, in June 2009.
Why am I riding a third time?! Because raising money to help stroke survivors tackle and sometimes overcome their challenges will be worth every hill, every mile, every painful twinge.
Professor Chris Rudd is Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Pro Vice Chancellor for Knowledge Transfer. Chris began his career in Marine Engineering as a seagoing engineer, and later worked in the automotive industry before completing his PhD at Nottingham.
Okay. This time the gloves are off and the cleats are on. I’ve abandoned the butcher’s bike and invested in some shiny new wheels. Not promising to be any faster than last year but it should look better in the photos! Life Cycle 3 picks up a wholly different challenge. It will help those who have survived stroke to access vital rehabilitation to help them move forward with their lives. I know that we can do even better this time. Please help if you can.
Okay. This time the gloves are off and the cleats are on. I’ve abandoned the butcher’s bike and invested in some shiny new wheels. Not promising to be any faster than last year but it should look better in the photos!
Life Cycle 3 picks up a wholly different challenge. It will help those who have survived stroke to access vital rehabilitation to help them move forward with their lives. I know that we can do even better this time. Please help if you can.
Provost & CEO, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Miles is a mineral processing engineer with over 20 years international experience in teaching, research and consultancy. He has extensive knowledge of, and research experience in fine particle processing, waste minimisation and recycling, bulk material transportation processes and coal preparation.
Such great fun doing Life Cycles 1 and 2 and with a fantastic team. I was just struck by people’s generosity the length and breadth of the country – wanting to support a good cause. So I have to do it again this year and for a really great reason –stroke rehabilitation research makes a difference to peoples’ lives. Not just for stroke survivors but their families and friends too. This is important the world over. Have also invested in all this cycling gear so I need to be putting it to good use!
Penelope is the Head of Widening Participation at the University of Nottingham. She oversees an active outreach programme to encourage young people and mature learners to progress to university. This helps to reach more than 22,000 learners annually.
Taking part in Life Cycle 3 means I can reciprocate, in a very small way, the contribution Life Cycle 2 made to my own area of work, Nottingham Potential. Surviving Life Cycle 2 gives me some confidence that I can do it again for another great cause, Stroke Rehabilitation. Last year I had two aims - to complete the ride and not to be last in each day - and I managed to achieve them both. This year I aim to be less exhausted! I think that most people know at least one person who has been affected by a stroke. For me, it is the parents of friends and a former colleague among others. But the person who will motivate me most during the ride is a friend-of-a-friend, a wonderful young woman who had just completed her medical studies when a stroke changed her future.
Taking part in Life Cycle 3 means I can reciprocate, in a very small way, the contribution Life Cycle 2 made to my own area of work, Nottingham Potential. Surviving Life Cycle 2 gives me some confidence that I can do it again for another great cause, Stroke Rehabilitation. Last year I had two aims - to complete the ride and not to be last in each day - and I managed to achieve them both. This year I aim to be less exhausted!
I think that most people know at least one person who has been affected by a stroke. For me, it is the parents of friends and a former colleague among others. But the person who will motivate me most during the ride is a friend-of-a-friend, a wonderful young woman who had just completed her medical studies when a stroke changed her future.
Professor Wylie is Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus and head of the School of Politics, History and International Relations . He joined Nottingham in 2000, is Professor of International Political History and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
I am delighted to be hitting the road again, and in support of such an important charitable cause. I was involved with stroke rehabilitation as a volunteer at school, and for all the scientific advances made in the meantime, the issue is sadly every bit as important and life-changing now as it was back then. It’s been a privilege to be a part of the Life Cycle team before, and to fly the Malaysian campus flag in another great enterprise.
Andrew Noyes is Deputy Head of the School of Education. Following several years teaching in a local secondary school he returned to his alma mater, joining the University in 2001. He has led teacher education, masters and professional doctorate programmes. Andy’s varied research interests are largely focused upon mathematics education but he also values working in the area of learning disability. His recent projects have been funded by the ESRC, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In his spare time, Andy enjoys running, cycling (of course!) and playing various musical instruments.
My mum had a stroke in her mid-50s which was quite a shock. Her message to me was to change my lifestyle so I didn’t end up going the same way. I haven’t done a great job of leading a less stressful life so I’m hoping that supporting this cause doesn’t turn out to be partly for my own good...
Steve's main other current non-executive appointment is as a Trustee of Oxfam GB where he also Chairs the Pensions Committee and is a member of the Trustee Audit and Finance Group. Previously he was Honorary Treasurer of the 'The Seashell Trust'. Steve is based in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
It's too late to turn back now so, despite not having ridden for 40 years, I have bought the bike, lycra and cleats and started training! Clearly this will be a major challenge for me, so I would welcome your support for what is a great cause.
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Ahmad an alumnus of the University, having graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Electrical Engineering in 1977. He is the Group Chief Executive Officer at Malaysia Airlines.
Ahmad is no stranger to the Life Cycle, having taken part in the final five days of Nottingham Life Cycle 2 in 2012. Back then he rode from Lincoln to Dover via Nottingham, Banbury, Wnchester, and Eastbourne.
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