A team of volunteers from The University of Nottingham is setting off on a grueling 1,400-mile charity bike ride, taking in the four corners of Great Britain.
The Life Cycle 4 Challenge will be in support of the University’s Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC), with each cyclist riding in honour of a patient who has battled the disease.
The Life Cycle route, which is the longest yet, will take in the four corners of Great Britain. The team of 16 will leave Land’s End on Thursday (14th August) and ride via Dover and Durness to arrive at John O’Groats on 30th August.
This year’s team is hoping to raise £750k - equivalent to the combined funds raised from the first three Life Cycles - and the total has already passed £510k. The fundraising was kicked off by a donation of £150k from the Brain Tumour Charity. Companies have also joined in with significant contributions including Boots, MaxiNutrition, the UK and Europe’s leading sports nutrition brand, Campus Living Villages, UPP (a student accommodation provider) and Simon Jersey, along with many generous donations from alumni and friends of the University.
Professor Sir David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor of the University, is getting in the saddle for the fourth consecutive year.
Sir David said: “I am riding in honour of a remarkable young man, Sam White, who sadly lost his life to a brain tumour. I am thrilled so many are taking this on to create a fitting legacy for him and the other families who are battling this terrible disease. I hope their bravery will inspire further support to help us meet our ambitious target and give children who suffer a brain tumour the very best chance of successful treatment.”
Alan Kennedy, Director of Supporter Engagement at the University, says there are many ways for members of the public to get involved with the challenge too.
“Anyone can play their part in creating a brighter future for young people like Sam by taking part in one of our sponsored rides on 31st August: we have routes ranging from 6.5 to 75 miles. Even if cycling isn’t your thing, then you can sponsor one of the Vice-Chancellor’s team through our website.”
You can support the team’s fundraising or register for a sponsored ride at www.nottingham.ac.uk/lifecycle and follow the ride through Sir David’s daily blog at http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/lifecycle
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottinghamhas 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in China and Malaysia modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’ (Times Good University Guide 2014). It is also the most popular university among graduate employers, the world’s greenest university, and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the World's Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest-ever fundraising campaign, is delivering the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news…