Action Medical Research has announced that since its launch in 2010 the charity’s annual Champions of CycleSport dinner in London has raised more than £1.5 million. The eighth gala, which took place last night (Thursday, 23 November), raised approximately £260,000.
A number of internationally famous athletes were present at Battersea Evolution, London, including Chris Boardman MBE and Graeme Obree. The two stars were interviewed on stage by Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan.
In the early 1990s, the two cyclists enjoyed a friendly rivalry as they broke each other’s world hour record. Speaking after last night’s gala, Chris Boardman said “What a fantastic evening! It has been an absolute privilege to be this event’s ambassador for the last five years, and I could not be more proud to see how much it’s grown in that time.
“Action is a charity that I hold dear to my heart; my son George was born 6 weeks early and so I know first-hand the concern that parents have for their little one’s health. I’m very proud to be a part of the ‘Champs Dinner’ and am truly delighted to hear how much has been raised to help fund vital research.”
Graeme Obree was equally impressed with the event. He said, “It was an honour to be invited and just amazing to meet so many passionate cycling fans. Action is a wonderful charity and I know that cycling is very much at the heart of its fundraising. It was just nice to be able to play a small part.”
More than 600 people attended the dinner which was once again supported by Maserati and Garmin. Guests enjoyed the chance to mingle with a number of cycling stars including: Katie Archibald, Yanto Barker, Rochelle Gilmour, Dani Rowe MBE, Dan Martin and Steven Burke MBE.
Following a three course meal there was an opportunity to bid on some items in the charity auction. Some of the prizes included a Garmin Fenix Watch, an original portrait of Stephen Roche (painted by Paul Oz) and a framed red jersey from the Vuelta, signed by the winner Chris Froome.
The star-studded gala dinner, which is also sponsored by BDO and Rouleur, marks the end of another successful season of high-profile rides for the children’s charity. The charity’s 2018 cycling calendar will start in earnest in May 2018.
Action Medical Research’s Senior Partnership Development Manager Sarah Stevenson said “This was once again a superb night for the charity! I’d like to thank all of the cycling legends and the hundreds of guests who helped make it a night to remember.
“As a charity we’ve been running the Champs dinner for eight years now; and to have raised around £1.5 million in that time is simply stunning. We’re very fortunate to have so many well-known supporters who give up their time to help Action.
“It’s been an amazing year, and we can’t wait for our new season of events to get underway in 2018!”
Action Medical Research is a UK-wide children’s charity that funds research to tackle the diseases that devastate the lives of so many of children. It has been funding medical breakthroughs since it began in 1952 – including helping to introduce the first polio vaccines in the UK, developing the use of ultrasound in pregnancy and testing the rubella vaccine.
The charity is currently funding research into conditions including asthma, prematurity, epilepsy, meningitis, cerebral palsy, brain cancer and some rare and distressing conditions.
www.action.org.uk/events/cycling
