A champion of public health is making sure a holiday doesn't get in the way of fundraising efforts by taking part in the Carvers Wolverhampton Cycle Marathon two weeks early. Councillor Sandra Samuels, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, is not available when the Carvers Marathon events take place in Wolverhampton on Sunday 6 September, 2015 – so she is getting in the saddle and riding 20km around West Park this Friday (21 August, 2015).
In the process, she will be raising vital funds for the Sickle Cell Society and the #heartsafe15 campaign to get more defibrillators in the community – and she will be joined by Commonwealth Gold medal-winning cycling Hugh Porter MBE and the council’s Strategic Director for People, Linda Sanders, on her ride.
She said: "I am disappointed to be away for the Carvers Wolverhampton Marathon events on 6 September, but still wanted to do my bit and so I'll be completing the 20km cycle ride around West Park this week.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge, and also supporting two very worthwhile causes; the Sickle Cell Society and #heartsafe15.
“I’m also delighted that Hugh Porter MBE will be able to join me – I only hope I can keep up with him!”
Mary Harding, who is helping to organise this year's Carers Wolverhampton Marathon, added: “It’s great news that Sandra is taking part in this year’s event, even if she cannot be there on the day. It sends out the message that we, as organisers and promoters, are trying to get across to everyone; that you can come and walk or cycle if you cannot manage the running events.”
