Former British Road Cycling Champion To Lead 100km Ride For The NHS

Thousands of cyclists have been hitting the roads since lockdown started and now former British national road cycling champion and multiple Tour de France stage winner, David Millar, is to lead avid riders in an epic bike ride in support of HEROES, a charity founded by and for NHS workers.

Attendees can choose either a 50 or 100-mile ride that both starts and finishes in Brighton on 18 October. The course poses the challenge of around 1,000m of ascent as well as featuring the magnificent scenery of the South Downs National Park. The route has been carefully selected to showcase some of Southern England’s best country roads for cycling.

Cyclists will be supported throughout the process. Before the event, participants will receive training advice from David himself, who has won four stages of the Tour de France, five of the Vuelta a España and one of the Giro d’Italia. On the day, martials will be stationed at checkpoints along the route, and there will be water and snack stops, packed lunch, group cycle leaders, as well as the necessary technical, medical and route support personnel.

The bike ride aims to raise money for the charity HEROES, which continues to support NHS workers through a variety of methods including providing access to mental health services, free childcare, financial grants and more. Registrations cost £50 and all riders will be required to fundraise at least £350 per person. Participants who raise more will be rewarded with one of the following:

  • Their photo taken with David at the finish line (more than £400 raised)
  • A signed jersey and a photo with David at the finish line (more than £500 raised)
  • A signed jersey, a photo at the finish line with David and entry to the event’s VIP golden circle (£600 or over raised)

Dr Dominic Pimenta, Co-Founder of HEROES, who has been working in a COVID intensive care unit since the pandemic started, said: “This bike ride will be a major milestone for the year and will enable us to continue providing support to key health workers, so we hope as many cyclists as possible get involved. Helping the frontline NHS staff who have been tirelessly working to care for the nation throughout the pandemic is our main priority and we are delighted that David is supporting us to do just that.”

David Millar said: “HEROES is dedicated to supporting the welfare and wellbeing of those in the NHS fighting to keep the nation healthy and safe during the COVID-19 crisis, so I’m thrilled to be in the position to organise this cycling fundraiser to help them in doing so. It will be wonderful day out and for a brilliant cause.”

HEROES provides NHS staff with access to physical and mental health services, as well as ensuring their day-to-day needs and livelihoods can be maintained in the best possible way. The organisation focuses on three key areas; food delivery through existing infrastructure, obtaining and creating a supply stream of PPE, and providing human health and well-being services such as childcare, therapy and support grants.

The charity is calling on businesses and the general public for continued support, with more information available at www.helpthemhelpus.co.uk.

To get find out more information on the bike ride and how to register, visit this page.

 

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