Brenda's story

26 years of the Action 100 Bike Ride - A look back at the lady who started the ride in 1982

Brenda Dickinson, 84, has plenty to smile about. The cycle ride that she initiated in 1982 celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Over the years, the Big 100 ride, as it was then, became the Action 100 cycle ride, and the ride has expanded its reach, attracting riders from as far away as Canada.

The annual pedal from Bath and Bristol to London has raised £790,000 for Action Medical Research. Known as Action Research for the Crippled Child when the ride began, the charity too has modernised and changed with the times.

Action Medical Research was founded by Duncan Guthrie who was determined to find a cure for his daughter. In 1949, 18-month-old Janet Guthrie had been diagnosed with polio. Appalled by the lack of knowledge about this disease of epidemic proportions, he set up a new charity, the National Fund for Poliomyelitis Research. His vision led to the development of the polio vaccine, virtually eradicating the disease worldwide.

The charity later became Action Research for the Crippled Child, and developed ground breaking hip replacement surgery, pioneered testing of the first rubella vaccine, and discovered the importance of folic acid in the prevention of spina bifida, to name but a few achievements. In 2003 the charity's name became Action Medical Research.

Guthrie personally recruited Brenda into the charity. His absolute passion was contagious, and she describes this 'great big bear of a man' with affection. Bears are evidently a theme for the charity: its mascot is Paddington Bear, 'donated' by supporter, Michael Bond. Indeed the antic-ridden bear was recently seen launching the Action 100 silver jubilee logo, alongside Bristol West MP, Steven Williams.

Brenda's early fundraising for Action Medical Research was in Suffolk, where grand balls were the order of the day. She lived in Cambridge, was married to a doctor and had been a Red Cross officer. Her husband was finishing his medical degree, and rather than watching TV in the evening, they would, in her words, 'raise money'.

Following the death of her husband, Brenda moved around the UK, and ultimately ended up back with the charity, this time working in Bath (1980), now married to 'Dickie' of 'Dickinson's Hot Tomato Chutney' fame. It was her son, Paul, who came up with the idea for the ride, having cycled London to Brighton.

The first ride ran from Bath. It ran right to the heart of London - Marble Arch - and Brenda's friends pulled together to get things organised. John of John's Bikes, which still operates today, helped organise the ride, as did PR consultant Jane Venner Pack.

The boundlessly enthusiastic team set themselves the objective of persuading 100 riders to ride 100 miles, each raising £100. To recruit riders, they cycled in costumes around Central Bath and garnered the support of Theatre Royal actors. They beat target numbers hands down and missed their financial goal by just a whisker: 127 cyclists left the Guildhall and raised £9,500.

Brenda's persuasive charms meant that TNT transported the bikes without hesitation. Edward Courage, of breweries fame, arranged riders' lunches at a pub in Theale, near Reading, and Bluebird Coaches lay on the transport home. The Mayor of Bath started them off with a flag hanging from a broom handle.

Ironically, most of the early 'committee' came from Bristol, and within years the ride was also running from Bristol. Today Bristol riders outnumber Bath riders two to one, and last year over 600 riders raised over £65 thousand.

The first ride was an enthusiasts' ride. Brenda talks with affection of 'Mr Jones' who simply jumped on an old shopping bike and cycled all the way. Some were so fast that the registration team, having closed the starters registration desk, didn't pass them until well past Reading, despite being in a Porsche.

'Home' for the ride has changed as the ride progressed. For some years it was at Hampton Court, followed by Kempton Park.

Fortunately, the signage and break stops have been subject to constant improvement and cyclists now are monitored at all points, with the ride now ending at Chobham Rugby Club - cold beer and hot food on tap.

Riders over the years have included Suggs from Madness, designer Jeff Banks and this year Elyes Gabel, the actor who plays Guppy in BBC drama, Casualty, plans to ride. Richard Hill, who captained England's rugby team, also turned up to see the riders off for several years running.

Whilst tandems and low riders put in regular appearances, the most unusual bike was two bikes welded together with a very loud radio in the middle, which created some headaches for transporting it back. Two years ago, a man in a gorilla suit completed the ride.

The youngest ever rider was Edward Westropp, whose father chaired the committee for almost two decades. Edward completed the ride aged just eight years old. He's now 22, and the committee are keen for him to mark the Silver Jubilee by riding again.

Brenda now lives in a home near Bath, and despite having had health problems recently, still finds the energy for lunch out with friends. Even though she was recently presented to the Queen, she glows with particular pride when Regional Fundraising Manager, Jennifer Reid, talks about targeting 750 riders to raise over £70 thousand for the Jubilee ride.