And they’re off...1,000 mile Life Cycle begins

The University of Nottingham Life Cycle team are setting off on a gruelling 1,000-mile charity bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

The 11-strong team will battle hills, saddle sores and the elements as they ride the length of Britain in just 13 days to raise money for the Sue Ryder Care Centre for the Study of Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care, based at the University.

And the team have had a fantastic pre-ride boost – they’ve already smashed their £150,000 fund-raising target thanks to generous donations.

The University of Nottingham Life Cycle team are setting off on a gruelling 1,000-mile charity bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

The 11-strong team will battle hills, saddle sores and the elements as they ride the length of Britain in just 13 days to raise money for the Sue Ryder Care Centre for the Study of Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care, based at the University.

And the team have had a fantastic pre-ride boost – they’ve already smashed their £150,000 fund-raising target thanks to generous donations.

Determined now to top £200,000 before they reach Land’s End on 8 September, the team are urging people to support them by joining two rides on Saturday 3 September.

More than 70 people have signed up to take part, and will enjoy a free barbecue after they cross the finish line at the University’s Sutton Bonington Campus.

The first ride, the Nottingham Life Cycle, will give people the chance to join the team on the 53-mile Retford-to-Sutton Bonington leg in return for raising up to £500 in sponsorship. The second 14-mile ride – from University Park to Sutton Bonington – will allow families and recreational cyclists to take part for a small entry fee.

Vice-Chancellor Professor David Greenaway said:

“I am heartened by the number of people who have signed up for the two public rides. It will be excellent to share this experience with others, raising funds whilst having an enjoyable day at the same time!

“The University is known globally for the quality and effectiveness of our life-changing research. By taking on this challenge we are not only raising funds for the Sue Ryder Care Centre, but raising awareness of important work in an under-researched area at the same time, which will also have a huge impact.”

The importance of the fundraising effort cannot be overestimated, with 500,000 people dying in England every year, the majority of which follow an extended period of chronic illness but - according to the Department of Health – fail to receive excellent care at the end of life.

Team member and co-founder of the Sue Ryder Care Centre, Karen Cox, explained:

“We want to raise as much as we possibly can for what we see as being an important research and health priority; the care of individuals at the end of their lives.

“Funds raised from the Life Cycle will allow the Sue Ryder Care Research Centre to expand its professional education and PhD scholarship programme with a special focus on ‘resource-poor’ groups, including those working in long-term care in this country, and those coming from countries where palliative care expertise and capacity is absent or negligible.

“The Centre has seen graduates from its PhD programme from Jordan, Kenya, India, Thailand and Saudi Arabia; all places where palliative care leadership, especially in nursing, is desperately needed. ”

The Nottingham Life Cycle takes place from 26 August to 8 September. To keep up to date with the progress of The University of Nottingham’s Life Cycle, please visit www.nottingham.ac.uk/lifecycle or follow the team on twitter: @uonlifecycle