23rd July 2008
Actor Ben Richards, who plays PC Nate Roberts in ITV police drama series The Bill, officially started a four-day London to Paris bike ride for national charity Action Medical Research early this morning (Wednesday 23 July).
Around 400 cyclists set off on the 300-mile trip, leaving from Surbiton, Blackheath and Croydon. Following three different routes, they will ride between 60 and 90 miles each day before arriving in Paris on Saturday, the day before the Tour de France finishes along the same streets.
Many of the cyclists are taking part for very personal reasons, including overcoming their own health problems, to remember a lost loved one or to help others by raising funds for vital medical research.
Ben Richards, himself a keen cyclist, said: “To ride down the Champs Elysees with 400 people the day before the Tour de France finishes will be an amazing experience for these riders but it’s for a very serious cause.
“Any one of us, at any time, may find ourselves in a situation where we will benefit from work funded by Action Medical Research. I wish everyone taking part the very best of luck, and who knows, maybe I’ll be doing the ride as well next year.”
Last year the event raised around £530,000 and this year’s team aims to beat that target.
If you want to sign up for 2009 you can go online at www.action.org.uk/l2p, call 0870 333 1662 or text ACTION L2P with your name and address to 60003 to receive an information pack.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Photographs from the three start points (Surbiton, Blackheath and Croydon) and of Ben Richards available on request.
For more information about Action Medical Research and this event, please contact:
Clare Coleman, Press and PR Officer:
Tel: 01403 327493 Email: ccoleman@action.org.uk
For more information please contact the Action Medical Research press office
Debbie Broadhurst — Director of Communications
Tel: 01403 327423
Email: dbroadhurst@action.org.uk
Joanna Gilham — Press Manager
Tel: 01403 327493
Email: jgilham@action.org.uk
Patrick Olszowski — Campaigns Manager
Tel: 01403 327404
Email: patrick@action.org.uk
Action Medical Research is a national charity, which is dedicated to building a healthier future for everyone. The Charity is funding research into many serious diseases and conditions, including premature birth, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, osteoporosis blindness, inflammatory bowel disease and stroke.
Action Medical Research has been supporting/funding breakthroughs for over 50 years, and its life-saving work benefits babies, children and adults. The Charity's successes include helping develop the UK polio vaccine, ultrasound scanning in pregnancy, the hip replacement operation, and discovering the link between taking folic acid during pregnancy and preventing spina bifida.
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