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A successful cycling supporter of Action Medical Research is gearing up for another ride in Sussex this June.
Josie Jeffrey, who lives in Brighton, took part in ‘Davina’s Big Sussex Bike Ride’ last summer and raised an amazing £1,085. She completed the 40-mile route in memory of her sister, Holly, who sadly died from lupus aged just 19.
Systemic lupus erythrematosus (SLE) is an unpredictable disease, causing varying levels of disability. When it starts during childhood, it most typically affects girls of around 11 or 12 years of age.1 Their symptoms vary, but can include skin rashes, fever and fatigue.
Estimates suggest hundreds of children are living with SLE in the UK.2 Hopefully they may one day benefit from research we’re partly funding by Dr Kate Webb of University College London.
Each year, a bike is awarded to the highest fundraiser on our RIDE100 series and in 2016 Josie was the deserved recipient.
Having received the brand new Vitus Bikes Zenium Disc road bike by event sponsors Chain Reaction Cycles, she recently contacted Action to let us know that she’s taking full advantage of the warmer weather: “I am really enjoying riding it, the range of gears means I am tackling hills with ease and it is so lightweight it feels like a breeze to ride.
“I am so excited to be taking part in Davina’s Big Sussex Bike Ride once again. It’s a great challenge and a really fun day. I’m just pleased to do my bit once again to help the charity raise vital funds.”
Last year’s event saw some 450 cyclists take part, raising more than £32,000.
This year, Davina’s Big Sussex Bike Ride is being held on Sunday, 25 June and you can be a part of it. Just tap here to read more and sign up.
For 65 years Action Medical Research has helped pioneer treatments and ways to prevent disease that have benefited millions of people in the UK and across the world. Research they’ve funded has helped to beat polio in the UK, develop ultrasound in pregnancy, fight meningitis and prevent stillbirths.
The children's charity is currently funding research into premature birth, meningitis, Down syndrome and epilepsy, as well as some rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.
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To download a photo of Josie Jeffrey and her new bike:
https://www.action.org.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/press/josie_jeffrey.jpg
NOTES TO EDITORS:
References
1. Levy DM et al. Systemic lupus erythematosus in children and adolescents. Pediatr Clin North Am 2012; 59: 345–364.
2. Arthritis Research UK. Lupus. http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/data-and-statis... Website accessed 10 March 2015.
To read more about research into SLE:
For more information on Action Medical Research, please contact Peter Denton, Fundraising Communications Officer, on:
T 01403 327480
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Action Medical Research is a leading UK-wide charity saving and changing children’s lives through medical research. For 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.
Charity reg. nos 208701 and SC039284.