The UK’s leading medical research charity, Action Medical Research, has a new chairperson for its ‘Action 100’ bike ride, which runs annually on August bank holiday weekend from Bath and Bristol to London.  Ev Milker (34) of St George, Bristol, has a tough act to follow: the 2005 ride has already brought in over £58 thousand, with over 100 riders still expected to send in their sponsorship money. 

The Action 100 bike ride challenges ordinary cyclists who are prepared to cycle 100 miles for Action Medical Research, which funds research into a wide range of conditions.  Cyclists have all day to complete the ride and are fully supported with plenty of refreshment stops, a pub lunch and hot showers and beer at the finish.

“Our previous chairman, Richard Westropp, took us to over 500 riders, and, all things being equal, we will have raised around 60 thousand pounds on the 2005 ride – a tough act to follow” said Milker.  “2006 is our silver jubilee year so we really want to make it special.  We’re now in the planning stages making it the best ride yet, including having a more party like atmosphere at the close, goody bags for every rider and some extra surprises along the way.”

“One of our biggest challenges is finding a sponsor,” said Jennifer Reid, Community Fundraising Manager, South West, Action Medical Research.  “With one in place, we would aim to double the number of riders and bring in over £100 thousand pounds for the charity.  I can’t think of a better tribute to all the people who have worked so hard behind the scenes, pushed themselves to ride and contributed time and ideas to make this such a special ride.”

The sponsorship would help pay for some of the costs of running the ride, such as transport, refreshments, safety and print costs, helping ensure that money raised goes directly to the charity, which has already contributed towards the first UK polio vaccine, discovering the importance of folic acid in preventing spina bifida, pioneering hip replacement surgery and the first medical use of ultrasound in pregnancy.
-Ends-