February 2010  Cycling fever is breaking out in Pendle as some of Britain’s top cyclists take to the hills to try out the National Champions Elite Road Race circuit for the first time.
Their visit is four months ahead of the main event, as organisers talk with residents and fine-tune plans for the exciting 2010 Championships to be held in Pendle on Sunday 27th June. The event will attract Britain's best cyclists and will be a vital test for them in the run up to the Tour de France which follows straight after this National Championship. Earby based market leading holiday accommodation provider Cottages4you has just announced that they are sponsoring this high profile event. Cyclists at the February launch will include Olympic gold medallist and record breaking cyclist Chris Boardman. He’ll be riding the National Road Race circuit around Barley with veteran Pete Matthews. Pete, who was the national champion in 1968, also designed one of Chris Boardman’s top bikes and is still the national champion in his over 65s age group. Pendle’s own leading cyclist, Paul Oldham from Trawden, will also be riding the new 7.5 mile route which starts and finishes in Barley village. They will be joined by Tony Hewson, author and pioneer British rider in the Tour de France, and Alan Gornall, a previous Commonwealth Games Gold Medal-winning cyclist who now lives in Barnoldswick. Pendle Council’s Director of Regeneration, Brian Cookson, who’s also President of British Cycling, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for some top British riders, past and present, to try out this new route ahead of the National Championship in June. “The races this summer will bring a much needed boost to our tourism economy, helping many local businesses in Barley, Roughlee and Newchurch and right across Pendle.” Leader of the Council, Councillor John David said: “Tourism is worth over £77 million to Pendle already - yet so many people say they haven’t heard of our beautiful corner of England. “This is our chance to put the area on the map. “There will be television coverage and people will be able to see for themselves what a wonderful area Pendle is. “The race will take place around the villages that regularly pick up best kept villages awards.” He added: “Although this will be a major event for Pendle, I am concerned that some residents will be very considerably inconvenienced. “It is our job to plan for and deal with these problems. We will certainly treat these difficulties very seriously so that the event will be as enjoyable as possible and free from hassle for local people. “Residents can call us on 01282 661661 with any questions or concerns.” Geoff Cowley, Managing Director of event sponsors Cottages4you, said: “As a leading provider of holiday accommodation based in Pendle, we’re proud to be supporting this national event which is coming to our area. “It will certainly support rural businesses including many of our self catering cottage businesses. “We’re passionate about cycling and about Pendle - it promises to be an exhilarating weekend for residents and visitors alike.” And don’t forget the National Cyclo-Sportive event which will take place on Saturday 26th June, the day before the big race. It will give amateur cyclists the chance to try out some of the route the professionals will ride the following day. Both races offer cyclists the perfect weekend in the area - to ride through some of the best countryside in England then watch the country’s best cyclists! There’s plenty of accommodation available locally - look on www.visitpendle.com to see the range of accommodation available. For more information about the cycling events, you can visit - www.pendlebikefest.com or www.pennineevents.co.uk.
Our Clients, 19th February 2010 The Glasgow Bikeathon will be returning to Glasgow on Sunday 23 May this year after a successful event in 2009. The event is organised by the newly named Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, formerly known as Leukaemia Research. Over 400 people got on their bikes to take part in the first ever Glasgow Bikeathon in 2009, and this year, event organisers are hoping to increase participant numbers to help raise even more money for the charity. One couple who are eager to take part in this year's event are Kerry and Paul Foley, from Inverkip. They are dedicated to helping Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research in any way they can after their daughter was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia at just seven months old. Now aged three, Rebecca is in remission and doing really well but when she was diagnosed, her and her parents faced a living nightmare. Rebecca's mum, Kerry commented: "When Rebecca was diagnosed with leukaemia at just seven months old, our whole world fell apart. You read about such awful things but never expect that it will actually happen to you and your family. "Initially, Rebecca just had a high temperature and the doctors put it down to a virus. There were no other symptoms that would have caused us to think it was anything serious, but being a nurse myself, I just knew something wasn't right. When Rebecca was finally diagnosed, it just hit us so hard – we really weren't expecting it. She had to endure five lots of chemotherapy, numerous blood transfusions and we spent six months in hospital. Rebecca was kept in isolation and the only people allowed to come into contact with her were me, her Dad, and her Grandma's - anyone else had to talk to Rebecca through a glass screen. She was always so brave but it was so sad to see such a lively little girl going through all that at such a young age". The Bikeathon offers two predominantly rural routes to riders - either 13 or 26 miles. Both rides start and finish at the historic country park in Drumpellier, on the Glasgow/North Lanarkshire border. The park was formerly a private estate occupying an area of 500 acres, with two natural lochs.  Kerry and Paul Foley will be taking part in the 13 mile ride this year. Kerry added: "Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is so close to our hearts. If it hadn't been for the research funded by the charity, I don't know if we'd have been able to bring Rebecca home. She's no different to any other toddler - bright, active and full of life, but things could have turned out so much differently.
Being a nurse, I was always aware of leukaemia but I never really knew a lot about it. I hadn't realised that so many young people suffered from it until I got into that hospital with Rebecca and saw all the children enduring such pain. Paul and I want to take part in the Glasgow Bikeathon this year to help raise awareness of the illness and to contribute to the charity's research that will hopefully one day find a cure". Yvonne Dickson, Fundraising Manager for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research in Scotland has high hopes for this year's Glasgow Bikeathon. She said: "Last year, we raised just under £30,000 to help fund vital research in Scotland but this year, we want to increase entries in the hope that we can raise even more money. Whether you're looking for a physical challenge, a fundraising challenge, or quite simply a fun day out, why not join us this year and do your bit for those affected by blood cancers". Formerly known as Leukaemia Research, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research has recently changed its name to better reflect the work it does. New statistics from the charity show that blood cancers have increased by over 16 percent in the past 20 years and currently, 28,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with blood cancers every year. Yvonne added: "We changed our name because many people didn't realise our role in supporting research into all blood cancers. We wanted to raise awareness of our longstanding commitment to research into lymphoma and myeloma – as well as leukaemia". If you would like to register to take part in the Glasgow Bikeathon this year, please visit www.bikeathonbritain.co.uk/glasgow, email glasgowbikeathon@llresearch.org.uk or call 0131 669 7862. Our Clients, 18th February 2010 All 750 entries for the Bath Half Marathon Family Fun Run have now been sold, three weeks before race day.
Since the addition of the Fun Run to the Bath Half in YEAR, it has grown year on year with over 500 people taking part last year. The half marathon, which takes place on the same day, 7th March, never fails to sell out and attracts runners from all over the UK and abroad as well as a significant local contingent.
The 1.5mile (approx) Fun Run, which is held in support of the Bath RUH Forever Friends NICU Space to Grow Appeal , follows the same route as the main race, starting and finishing under the race gantry on Great Pulteney Street. Entrants will receive a Fun Run t-shirt and goody bag.
One organisation that has shown its support of the Fun Run is event partner CBS Outdoor. A team of four workers from the advertising company’s Bristol and Bath offices, and their families, have entered, including Kirsty Sullivan, Business Director at CBS. She said, “CBS Outdoor is delighted to be taking part in this event, supporting the Forever Friends Appeal. It is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved and the children are very excited about their involvement in raising money for the Appeal to give babies the best possible start in life. We pride ourselves on helping community and charitable initiatives.”
Race Director, Andrew Taylor, from Running High, added, “The Fun Run provides an opportunity for the whole community to get involved in the Bath Half event and for children to run on traffic free roads in the city centre. There is always a great atmosphere and the run attracts people of all ages and all abilities, many of whom come in fancy dress. It is a great way to get people running and promote exercise in an accessible, fun way.”
If you haven’t entered one of the runs but would still like to be a part of the event make sure you are out there lining the streets on race morning with the other 30,000 spectators that are predicted to descend on the city. Crowd support for the runners in Bath on race day is phenomenal and contributes to a huge part of the success of this event.
The Bath Half is one of the largest – if not the largest - charity fundraising events in the South West and supports over 40 local and national charities each year. This year’s event has already raised an estimated total of £1.3million for good causes. Alongside this year’s lead charity, Dorothy House, and the Forever Friends Appeal, the 2010 event’s official charities/appeals include the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) South West Lifeguard Appeal and Bath Cats and Dogs Home.
All 15,000 available places for the half marathon sold out in November last year and all charity places have now also been filled.
If you would like more information on the Bath Half Marathon or Family Fun Run and would like to know how you can run for a charity, please log on to www.bathhalf.co.uk or call 01225 422 255. Sponsorship form for RUH Forever Friends Appeal are also available to download from event website. If you are taking part in the Bath Half or Fun Run why not join the thousands of others on Facebook and Twitter and receive live updates and speak to other runners right up until the race starts. http://twitter.com/bathhalf Our Clients, 15th February 2010 This spring Breast Cancer Campaign’s women-only cycle ride, Pedal it Pink, is coming to Scotland! On Sunday 16 May, Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park will host the event, which hopes to attract hundreds of ladies from across Scotland.
Pedal it Pink, sponsored by Santander, has three cycle routes for you to choose from: a full marathon (26.2miles), half marathon (13.1miles) or the family 5k lap, which is open to men and children. All routes are completely enclosed in the park, so it’s safe, traffic-free and suitable for both beginners and experienced cyclists.
Now that the January blues are officially over and we can see the first signs of spring knocking at our door, entering Pedal it Pink will give you the perfect excuse to dust off your bike and get out there training and fulfilling those ‘get fit’ New Year’s resolutions!
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Scottish women, accounting for nearly a third of all cancers diagnosed. Every year over 4,000 Scottish women and 20 men are diagnosed.
With the help of Breast Cancer Campaign, and events such as Pedal it Pink, funding vital research into treatments and a cure, survival rates have improved significantly over the last 20 years. In the early eighties five-year survival rates of women diagnosed in Scotland was around 64 per cent, however this figure has now increased to 84 per cent.
Originally from Edinburgh, Catriona Wright, Events Manager at Breast Cancer Campaign, said, “We’re so pleased to launch Pedal it Pink in Scotland and my home town! We hope that lots of women from across the country will take up this unique challenge and contribute to a great cause. Pedal it Pink’s are now taking place all over the UK and so far we have raised over £100,000 to help fund vital research into breast cancer. So come on ladies, dig out your bike, find your pinkest outfit and take part in this fun cycling adventure while raising money for charity.”
Entries for the first Scottish Pedal it Pink are now open on the website www.breastcancercampaign.org. Entry to the full marathon is £15, half marathon £10, and the family 5k lap just £5. Our Clients, 11th February 2010  As part of the new Outlaw Triathlon in Nottingham, an open water swimming event has been added to the event weekend, taking place on the morning of Saturday 7th August. Competitors can take on swims of 500m, 1500m and 3000m in Holme Pierrepont regatta lake. The event will aim to appeal to traithletes and swimmers alike, and some former Olympians have already agreed to swim as part of the link with official charity partner, the British Heart Foundation. This will give triathletes an unusual opportunity to take on some former greats. Organiser, Iain Hamilton, of One Step Beyond said: “We wanted to give people an opportunity to come along and be part of the Outlaw. They may not fancy doing the long distance triathlon, but they can be involved by taking part in the swim. “The link with Olympians has come about through our charity link in memory of Simon Willis. His wife Gaynor (nee Stanley), was an Olympian in 1984 and her company, SwimShop are a partner of the event. We’re looking forward to welcoming some great names from the past! “The 500m event will be ideal for novices, whilst experienced swimmers can take on the longer races. We hope that local triathletes, swimmers and residents will enter and contribute to a fantastic weekend. It may be the first time that many of them have been part of a triathlon event and there will be hundreds of nervous triathletes around the venue racking their bikes and registering, so there will be a real buzz around the place. “Outlaw Triathletes are welcome to join in free of charge if they want to test their wetsuits and get a feel for swimming in Holme Pierrepont. It’s also something for partners and family to take part in during the weekend.” Entry is free for anyone signed up to do the Outlaw the following morning, and swimmers can choose whether they wear a wetsuit or not. Hamilton added: “Holme Pierrepont is an ideal venue for open water swimming because it’s long and relatively narrow so it’s easier for swimmers to stay on course. There are also plenty of hot showers and a great cafe on site for afterwards. The national open water swimming championships have taken place at Holme Pierrepont several times in the past, so it’s a tried and tested venue and we hope people will come along and take part.” Entries are available now priced £14-£24, including a donation to the British Heart Foundation.
Our Clients, 9th February 2010 Sport Nottinghamshire's Talented Athlete Mentoring Programme is one of the first in the county to be granted the Inspire Mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Nottinghamshire Talented Athlete Mentoring Programme is a sports mentoring project for potential 2012 athletes from the county. The mentors have been carefully selected from former Olympians, Paralympians and athletes that have competed at the highest level, all having achieved excellence in their field. The Olympians and high performance athletes will be given comprehensive mentoring training and support from Sport Nottinghamshire. They will meet with the potential 2012 athletes on a monthly basis to provide them with goal setting, advice and support as well as working with each athlete's coach to ensure consistent communication. Sport Nottinghamshire has already secured some outstanding athletes to mentor Nottinghamshire youngsters. Olympic and World Championship medallist, cyclist Bryan Steel will be the lead mentor and he will be supported by former Olympic Javelin thrower, Sharon Gibson and ultra distance disability athlete, Richard Whitehead. Bryan is thrilled that the scheme has been granted the Inspire Mark. He commented: "I was particularly keen to pursue a mentoring project in Nottinghamshire and it’s great that the Talented Athlete Mentoring Programme has been granted the Inspire Mark. We have some fantastic potential athletes here in Nottinghamshire who could really achieve a lot in 2012 and this programme will give them the skills and encouragement they need to turn their dreams into a reality." This project was a result of Sport Nottinghamshire wanting to find a way to support the county’s athletes who have the talent to be part of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London. Sam Parker is one of the young athletes involved with the scheme. He commented: "The mentor programme has been really helpful for me. It's great at breaking down your sport into the basics and setting achievable goals that give you the motivation you need to achieve your goals - this is often the hardest part!"
"The mentoring programme is now a crucial part of my own programme as it gives me the added confidence that everything I am doing in training is for a reason and I can have fun doing it." Seb Coe, Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: "The Inspire programme is ensuring the legacy of the 2012 Games starts now as projects like The Talented Athlete Mentoring Programme are enabling people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to make positive life changes." Former athletes who would like to find out more about becoming a mentor should send details of why they would like to get involved to info@sportnottinghamshire.co.uk. Similarly, young people with aspirations to make the 2012 or 2016 Olympic or Paralympic Games who feel they would benefit from working with one of Sport Nottinghamshire’s mentors should email info@sportnottinghamshire.co.uk with details of why they would like to get involved with Sport Nottinghamshire's Talented Athlete Mentoring programme along with details on why they should be selected. For further information on the programme, visit www.sportnottinghamshire.co.uk/talented_athlete_mentoring.php or contact Ria Kennerley on 0115 848 5000. Our Clients, 9th February 2010 | 
