Action Medical Research will be taking things up a gear when it hosts ‘the cycling event of the year’ to celebrate all things cycling and mark another successful season of high-profile rides. The children’s charity will once again raise vital funds while celebrating its passion for cycling at the star-studded sixth annual Champions of CycleSport Dinner on Thursday 26 November.
A host of sporting stars are set to pack out Battersea Evolution in London for the glittering black tie event, with Chris Boardman MBE leading the pack. Guests can rub shoulders with some of the world’s greatest cyclists while supporting sick and vulnerable babies and children. Attendees include Sir Dave Brailsford CBE, Rochelle Gilmore, Rob Hales and Jody Cundy MBE, as well as cycling’s much-loved TV pundit Ned Boulting, who will host some of the on-stage activities.
The 2015 Champions of CycleSport Dinner is backed by Garmin and returning sponsors BDO, the accountancy and business advisory firm. The celebrity-packed evening will include a three-course dinner, live music, demonstrations and an auction with exclusive prizes. High-profile speakers will play a major part and the event’s highlight is a series of tell-all interviews with a range of cycling champions, conducted by Sky TV’s Dermot Murnaghan.
Chris Boardman said “I’m so proud to be an ambassador for Action and to support this extremely worthwhile cause. I know first-hand why the research Action Medical Research funds is so essential after my son George was born six weeks prematurely.
“I urge cycling fans to join us for the Champions of CycleSport Dinner. Not only are you guaranteed a fantastic night out, you’re also supporting Action’s efforts to help many thousands of families dealing with the trauma of a baby born too early, striving to support a child affected by disability, or facing the challenge of caring for a child with a rare disease for which there is no cure.”
This year, Garmin is sponsoring ‘the ultimate cycling night out’. Dawn Ramsay, General Manager of Garmin UK, said “We are delighted to be partnering with Action Medical Research supporting the Champions of CycleSport event. As a brand pioneering technology in cycling, the event is a great fit for us and we are excited to support such a fantastic cause.”
Chris Grove, partner at BDO, also title sponsors for the event, said “It’s an honour to once again be offering our support to Action Medical Research. The work they do is invaluable and the Champions Dinner is a great opportunity for businesses to come together with the local community and cycling enthusiasts in an effort to raise awareness and vital funds. Last year’s event was a rousing success, and this year’s looks set to bigger than ever, so we’re thrilled to be involved.”
Rouleur is the media partner for the event for the fourth year: the partnership means some offers and prizes will be available for guests.
Last year’s event freewheeled to success with 600 guests raising an incredible £200,000 to help sick babies and children. Unmissable auction prizes included a Team Sky kids’ bike designed by FROG and signed by Team Sky, a ride with Team Sky at its Majorca training camp, a Dogma Pinarello Team Sky bike signed by Sir Dave Brailsford CBE and a Tour of California jersey signed by Bradley Wiggins.
Artist Paul Oz created an amazing portrait of Sir Dave Brailsford, which raised £4,000, and Smeg UK donated a fridge incorporating a one-off Richard Mitchelson design of classic cyclists, which went for £2,600.
Tables are for 10 people and are available in Bronze, Silver or Gold class – the coveted Gold standard has the best view in the house and ‘your very own cycling legend guaranteed at your table’. Tickets are available online: www.action.org.uk/champions-cyclesport/buy-your-table-online.
Action Medical Research is a leading UK-wide charity working to save and change children’s lives through medical research. The charity believes that the diseases that devastate the lives of so many of our children can be beaten. It has been funding medical breakthroughs since 1952, like the first polio vaccines in the UK, ultrasound in pregnancy and the rubella vaccine – helping to save thousands of children’s lives and change many more.
www.action.org.uk/champions-cyclesport
