The Unstoppables’ London to Paris
The Unstoppables’ London to Paris
Donna McGory
The Unstoppables’ London to Paris sees over 200 cyclists riding 500kms to Beat Blood Cancer
At 8am, while much of London crammed into tube carriages to start their day, a team of more than 200 cyclists jumped on their bikes and set off on an epic 500 kilometre journey from Greenwich with their sights set on Paris.
ITV’s Ned Boulting, ex-England footballer and leukaemia survivor Geoff Thomas, Jimmy Smith, Ellie Chapman and ex-England footballer John Salako
Riding to raise funds for the charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research – who daub their fundraisers ‘The Unstoppables’ – the cyclists, led by the charity’s cycling ambassador Geoff Thomas, a former England footballer – have an impressive task ahead of them. Over the next four days they will take on time trials and difficult climb sections as well as a grand finale that sees them ride around the Arc de Triomphe under closed road conditions as they complete their ride in Paris – a little taster of the Tour de France.
As well as Geoff, renowned ITV4 cycling presenter Ned Boulting and former England footballer John Salako have joined the team, in addition to hundreds of cyclists who themselves are blood cancer survivors or who have been touched by the illness.
Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research is one of the UK’s premier cycling charities hosting a number of dedicated bike-based events each year. In 2013, through fundraising its supporters rose over £1.5m and cycled more than 500,000 miles – helping fund its work as the country’s leading blood cancer charity.
Jimmy Smith, Ellie Chapman and ex-England footballer John Salako
Londoner Ellie Chapman shares a joke this morning with ex-England footballer John Salako, and her fiancé Jimmy Smith, ahead of a 500km cycle ride to Paris to beat blood cancer. The trio were joined by more than 200 other cyclists in Greenwich Park at the start of the ride for blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Ellie (32) is cycling from London to Paris in memory of her dad, who died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2011.
Anyone inspired by the Unstoppables’ London – Paris challenge may consider taking part in one of the upcoming Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Bikeathons which has events in both London and Birmingham later this year. Covering distances to suit all levels and abilities there’s a 26 mile marathon, 52 mile challenge or a 100 mile epic ride.
Over 7,000 cyclists are scheduled to take part in the London Bikeathon on the 31st of August, making it the UK’s largest charity bike ride. The 26 and 52 mile routes take in some of London’s most iconic landmarks including St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge whilst the 100 mile route includes punishing climbs through the cycling hotspots of the Surrey Hills.
The 2014 Birmingham Bikeathon is the event’s first time in the city is already set to be one of the region’s largest organised cycling events. Setting off on the 21st of September with three routes over the same distances as its London counterpart, this time each taking in city sights, suburbs and scenic countryside of Warwickshire and the West Midlands, there is a challenge for riders of all abilities from complete beginners to the most dedicated expert.
Places are still available in the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research London and Birmingham Bikeathons. To find out more and enter visit their website here: leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk/get-involved/sports-challenges/cycling
