When surgeon Paul Kinnear, now 56, suggested to his fundraising mother that she organise a cycle ride to raise money for Action Medical Research, he had no idea that the ride, now known as the Action 100 Bike Ride, would this year be celebrating its Silver Jubilee as one of the charity’s biggest fundraisers - or that, 25 years after his first ride, he would be taking to the road again for the charity and encouraging others to do the same.

Some 25 years ago, Paul Kinnear, who was then working at the Moorfields Eye Hospital, had suggested to his mother, Brenda Dickinson, that a challenging 100 mile cycle ride might work well as a fundraiser for the charity. He had just finished the London-Brighton cycle ride. The ride that this inspired, which is now known as the Action 100 Bike Ride and is taking place on Sunday 27th August 2006 this year, has since raised over £850,000 for the charity’s vital medical research work.

“The charity couldn’t be closer to my heart,” said Paul, who is currently an ophthalmic surgeon at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. “Aside from the fact that my mother helped to establish the Action 100 Bike Ride, my father was a GP, colleagues at Great Ormond Street have benefited from research grants, and the charity has also funded research related to my field.”

This research includes ongoing investigation into retinopathy of prematurity, a condition which affects the blood vessels of the retina in preterm babies, and in severe cases, can cause considerable visual impairment and irreversible blindness. The condition requires a high level of ophthalmic expertise as well as accurate diagnosis.

On the ride, Paul is looking forward to taking in some of the country’s most beautiful countryside, along the old A4 coaching route from start points in Bristol and Bath to Chobham. His training has been equally picturesque, including a daily cycle through Hyde Park to work.

Known in its early days as the Big 100, Paul’s recollections of the inaugural ride, which ended at Marble Arch in the first year, include being incredibly impressed by how well organised and supported everything was, including refreshments along the way, and the sheer numbers of supporters. The original idea was to persuade 100 riders to cycle 100 miles, raising £100 each. Last year, 521 riders raised £62,000.

Paul also remembers cycling up Box Hill out of Bath, a ride that will still be challenging 25 years later. Although he still owns the bike that he originally used, Paul will be riding on a better bike this year: “I am 25 years older,” he explained, laughing.

“We are hoping that Paul’s story will inspire others to take to their bikes,” said Ev Milker, Action 100 cycle ride Chairperson. “We are looking to increase the number of riders to 750 this year.”

Brenda Dickinson, founder and Paul’s mother, is urging the team to break the £1 million raised mark as a Silver Jubilee celebration. This would mean increasing the money raised this year to £150,000, which is challenging but not impossible!

London riders are this year being supported with transport from London and a special hotel deal at the Bristol Holiday Inn Express.