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Children’s charity Action Medical Research is celebrating the success of its tenth annual ‘Champions of Cyclesport’ dinner, kindly sponsored by Garmin
The black tie fundraising gala was held on Thursday 21 November at the Hurlingham Club in London.
More than 400 guests were given the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of cycling’s most elite athletes.
Olympic and World Track champion Dani Rowe MBE has been to nearly every ‘Champs Dinner’ since they started.
This year she shared her birthday with the tenth anniversary and told us why she continues to support the evening: “Action is a phenomenal charity that does so much work to help poorly babies and young children.
“Cycling is very much at the heart of its fundraising with some spectacular rides across the UK each summer. The ‘Champions of Cyclesport’ is always a key date in my calendar and I’m honoured to be here once again on this very special anniversary.”
As well as familiar faces to the Champs Dinner line-up, there were also some new ones from the world of BMX and downhill Mountain biking.
Three time UCI BMX World Champion & two time Team Sprint World Champion Shanaze Reade made her ‘Champs Dinner’ debut.
As did Rachel and Gee Atherton. The siblings - who between them have so far amassed a blinding tally of titles including 8 Down Hill World Championships - said they had a great time.
Speaking afterwards Rachel said: “I had heard quite a lot about Action and the ‘Champions of Cyclesport’ from friends and was absolutely delighted to be asked to come along this year.
“It was very touching to learn more about the charity’s work and to see its passion for cycing; I’m just glad I could be a part of it.”
Gee added: “Everyone seemed to have a really good time tonight; there was a great buzz and some fantastic auction prizes to bid on. I hope lots of money was raised for a great cause.”
As well as a delicious three course dinner, guests were entertained with fun party games and stage interviews which were conducted by Matt Stephens and Dan Lloyd.
Some of the auction lots available included a Scott Addict 30 Disc bike, a signed and framed Connor Swift jersey and Mark Beaumont’s ‘Around The World In 80 Days’ bike pedals.
Action’s Senior Partnerships Development Manager – and the event organiser - Sarah Stevenson said: “The Champs Dinner really is a key event in our fundraising calendar and it couldn’t go ahead without the army of Action staff and wonderful volunteers who give up so much of their time.
“I am absolutely delighted with how much was raised and would like to thank all of our guests and sponsors for their generous support.
“Over the years this gala event has raised about £1.8 million for Action which is amazing! I would love to see us break the £2 million mark – let’s see what we can do next year!”
The Champions of Cyclesport dinner was proudly supported by Garmin, BDO and Rouleur.
Action Medical Research is a UK-wide children’s charity which funds desperately needed research to tackle the diseases that devastate the lives of so many of our 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.
Action is currently funding research into areas including premature birth, epilepsy, scarlet fever, cerebral palsy, brain cancer and some rare and distressing conditions.
Notes to Editors
For more information on Action Medical Research contact Peter Denton, Fundraising Communications Officer, on:
T: 01403 327412
E: pdenton@action.org.uk
W: action.org.uk
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Action Medical Research is a leading UK-wide charity saving and changing children’s lives through medical research. For more than 65 years we’ve helped pioneer ways to prevent disease and develop treatments benefiting millions of people. Our research has helped to beat polio in the UK, develop ultrasound in pregnancy, fight meningitis and prevent stillbirths. But we urgently need to develop more new treatments and cures for sick babies and children and we can’t do it without you.
Join our fight for little lives today.