Following the success of the recent Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards which raised £8,171 for Cure Leukaemia, Chamber President Greg Lowson is in training to cycle ‘London 2 Paris: Inspiring the Revolution’ to raise even more funds for the charity he has chosen to support during his year in office.
More than 800 guests filled the ICC on Thursday 23rd April for the Chamber’s annual dinner and awards when Cure Leukaemia Co-Founder, Professor Charlie Craddock, addressed the room about the lifesaving work being conducted by the Birmingham-based blood cancer charity. Now Greg will join former England, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace footballer, and Cure Leukaemia Patron, Geoff Thomas on the 500km ride to Paris in June, along with over 230 cyclists from across the region.
It is 10 years since Geoff was declared in remission from chronic myeloid leukaemia after treatment from Professor Charlie Craddock at the Centre for Clinical Haematology (CCH), Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and Birmingham. Now Geoff is marking the anniversary by aiming to raise £500,000 from this event to support the CCH and help save the lives of blood cancer patients across the Midlands.
Greg, who is also Head of the Birmingham office of law firm Pinsent Masons and a Trustee of Cure Leukaemia, said: “I always set myself a challenge every year to raise funds for this great Birmingham charity. Over the last two years, it has been the Great Birmingham Run and this year I’m very excited to be taking part in this cycling event. Geoff’s story is truly inspirational and cycling next to him all the way to Paris will be a great honour.
Since 2012, Pinsent Masons have held an annual Birmingham office bike ride to raise funds for Cure Leukaemia so I’m no stranger to two wheels. But this 500km journey will certainly be a challenge! As a Trustee, I know the fantastic work that goes on at the Centre for Clinical Haematology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and across the region. It is a great charity to support here in Birmingham.”
Greg and his fellow 230 riders have covered their own costs and committed to raising £1,500 in sponsorship – 100 per cent of which will go directly to the lifesaving work of Cure Leukaemia. Greg’s fundraising has got off to a tremendous start thanks to the support of Pertemps, who have kindly pledged £5,000.
Pertemps Chair, Tim Watts, said: “Pertemps Network Group is committed to supporting worthwhile causes and there can surely be no greater cause than saving lives. We are therefore delighted to support Greg Lowson and his team riding London 2 Paris and give this donation to Cure Leukaemia. We are immensely proud to back this amazing group of people aiming to raise £500,000.”
Cure Leukaemia’s Head of Corporate Partnerships, Jackie Kelly, said: “It’s great to have our Trustee Greg taking part in London 2 Paris: Inspiring the Revolution. We are delighted to have 230 cyclists signed up for the ride. The funds Greg and the cyclists are raising will directly help save the lives of blood cancer patients in Birmingham and the Midlands.”
A number of well-known figures are also taking part in the ride, including George Lineker, a blood cancer survivor and the son of Match of the Day presenter Gary, former Birmingham City footballer Darren Purse, England Under-20 manager Aidy Boothroyd, former Crystal Palace footballer John Salako and broadcaster Jill Douglas.
