As part of Volunteer Week, from 1st – 7th June, Action Medical Research is thanking volunteers for their valuable support throughout Bristol, Bath and the South West. In Britain today, 22 million people volunteer their time to help good causes – from visiting patients in hospital or answering the phones on a helpline, right through to fundraising and the organisation of imaginative fundraising events. 

Roy Clarke, a businessman from Bristol, regularly gives his time and energy to help the charity Action Medical Research recruit riders for and organise the Action 100 Bike Ride, an annual 100-mile sponsored cycle ride in aid of Action Medical Research.  Roy first started to support the charity in 1987 when he decided, as part of a fitness drive, to sign up for the Action 100 Bristol to London Bike Ride. Since then, Roy has taken part in the event every year – and in 1997 he even cycled the return journey.

In total, Roy has cycled over 2000 miles for Action Medical Research, and he’s showing no signs of giving up any time soon. In addition to fundraising through the Action 100 Bike Ride, Roy is also the volunteer registration officer for the event, and responds to calls and emails from riders across the South West.

”We’re always on the look out for more people!” adds Roy. ”The Action 100 Bristol to London Bike Ride takes place on Sunday 28th August this year, and it really is a great experience to take part – you get a real sense of achievement, and I can assure you, once you’ve done it, you can’t wait to get back in the saddle again the following year!”

Jennifer Reid, the Community Fundraising Manager for Action Medical Research in the South West said: ”I am delighted that Volunteers’ Week gives us a chance to recognize the hard work and dedication of our own volunteers. As a charity we are lucky that all our volunteers are very enthusiastic, imaginative and successful fundraisers, but I am particularly delighted to recognize Roy because he has given such amazing support to the charity over the years – not to mention having cycled over 2,000 miles for Action Medical Research.”

Although Roy says he is delighted to be recognized for his work for Action Medical Research, he claims that it has been a labour of love. He feels that funding groundbreaking medical research across a broad range of fields is such a worthwhile cause, and because he loves long distance cycling, claiming the Action 100 bike ride has become a bit of an obsession over the years.

Lewis Coghlin, Director of Fundraising for the charity stated:
”Action Medical Research has over 240 fundraising committees of volunteers throughout the UK, each one more dedicated and successful than the next. It is inspiring for all of us at the charity to work with such wonderful volunteers, who really do make the charity what it is and raise absolutely vital funds so that we can fund as many and as broad a range of fundraising projects as possible.”

The charity is always looking for new volunteers, people who can lend their time or expertise with current fundraising events, and thinking up new ideas. If you would like to get involved, contact Community Fundraising Manager, Jennifer Reid, on 01179 355 040.

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