Wiltshire residents Phil Jefferson and his wife, Joyce, are two of a kind. Exuberant volunteers for UK charity Action Medical Research, the couple are willingly giving up their August Bank Holiday to help out with the Silver Jubilee year of the charity’s annual Action 100 cycle ride. On Sunday 27th August, the pair will be donning their catering hats as they commandeer the Marlborough refreshment stop on the 100 mile cycle between Bath and Bristol and London.

In Wiltshire, Phil is known more widely as Chairman of one of the county’s LINK schemes – a Good Neighbour scheme which provides transport for elderly and those without access to public transport - as well as being responsible for a working party which aims to improve the environment in his home village of Chapmanslade in the west of the county. In the past, Phil held the role of Chairman of the Local Advisory Council for BBC Radio Swindon and Radio Wiltshire, and is hoping Marlborough will support the Action 100 Bike Ride as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

“The Action 100 cycle ride has run since 1982, making this an extra special year. A Silver Jubilee celebration is a huge achievement for a sponsored ride that started with just 100 cyclists and has continued to get bigger and better,” said Phil. “The organising team has evolved but has thankfully retained the dogged determination shown by the original founders.”

The Jeffersons will be based at the Marlborough Town Hall where cyclists are offered complimentary water, tea and coffee, Mars bars, biscuits and bananas as well as use of the ‘facilities’. 750 riders are expected to turn out and fundraise for Action Medical Research, a pioneering UK charity which funds a hugely diverse portfolio of research from migraine to stroke via osteoporosis and premature birth. The Action 100 team is now actively seeking volunteers to join the Jeffersons at the Town Hall and also to man the picturesque Kintbury stop overlooking its famous White Horse.

“There is a fantastic atmosphere on the day – a wonderful camaraderie amongst the cyclists as well as adrenalin and sweat in abundance!” laughed Joyce. “Phil and I have manned the refreshments since 1999 and for three years Phil also acted as the Registration Officer, so the Action 100 will always hold a special charm for us. It would be great to have some new faces to help us on the day.”

“It is a misconception that the Action 100 is purely a Bath or Bristol event. Cyclists have participated from across the UK and abroad as well as from all walks of life. The route itself takes in some lovely scenery across Wiltshire, Berkshire and Surrey,” Phil added. “Come along and volunteer, or better yet, get on your bikes!”