UK children’s charity Action Medical Research has joined forces with Eroica Britannia, which combines a mass participation ride on vintage bikes with a three-day festival celebrating the best of British and classic bicycles from the UK and beyond.
Action Medical Research has been revealed as the official charity partner for the 2016 event, set in the beauty of the Peak District, which attracted 50,000 visitors to ‘three glorious fun-filled days’ in its inaugural year.
On Sunday 19 June 2016, riders can support Action and ride what has been dubbed ‘The World’s Most Handsome Bike Ride’. To be a part of the three-route tour of the Peak District participants will need to be riding a pre-1987 bike and be prepared to turn up in an ‘outfit as handsome as your well-polished cycle’.
The Eroica Britannia festival runs from Friday 17 June to Sunday 19 June. In 2016, the organising team note that there will be more than 300 brands at the festival including vintage bike goods sales, lifestyle finds and ‘the world’s biggest bike jumble’.
Nick Cotton from Eroica Britannia said “We are delighted to be working alongside Action Medical Research, who we see as a perfect fit as our charity partner. We are proud to support the crucial work they do in the lead-up and during the festival.
“The ride and the wonderful spectacle the festival brings to the UK means Eroica Britannia is an excellent platform to drum up support and awareness.”
He continued, “We have expanded ideas that we have been working on for many months to ensure that even if you have never ridden a bicycle in your life, the festival will be an inspirational, fun-packed weekend full of top quality festival activities and entertainment carefully curated to be a Great British Adventure for all the family.”
Action Medical Research’s association with Eroica Britannia highlights its passion for all things cycling. The children’s charity is known for its cycling events, including the RIDE100 series of one-day bike rides that take place in a number cycling locations across the UK and its popular London to Paris tour.
“The heroic efforts of the thousands who cycle for Action contribute more than £1 million every year to our vital work and pedal power is making a real difference to all that we do,” said David Graham, Action Medical Research’s Head of Community and Events Fundraising.
“We look forward to meeting festivalgoers and vintage cyclists and invite them all to join the fight for little lives and support Action Medical Research by adding a small donation as they purchase festival tickets or sign up to the ride.”
The charity is also on the hunt for volunteers – and for those who ‘want to be a real Action hero and volunteer for the three-day festival and on Sunday’s vintage ride, you’ll need to be prepared to have lots of fun, to work hard and to sleep in a tent.’ Interested volunteers can email volunteer[at]action.org.uk for more information.
With the help of its supporters, Action Medical Research has played a significant role in many medical breakthroughs for more than 60 years, from the development of the first UK polio vaccines to the use of ultrasound in pregnancy. It is currently funding research into meningitis, Down syndrome, epilepsy and premature birth, as well as some rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.
www.action.org.uk/eroica-britannia
