# Big Bad Bike Ride set to break £1 million mark

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/01/13/big-bike-ride-set-break-1m-mark/
- Published: 2016-01-13T13:18:53+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**This year’s Big Bike Ride for [Ataxia UK](https://www.ataxia.org.uk/) marks the
25^(th) anniversary of the sponsored event, which specifically raises funds for 
research into finding the cure for Friedreich’s ataxia.**

The 100km event is is organised by Graham Kennedy, who launched it in 1991 after
two of his children were diagnosed with the condition. It is open to anyone who 
can cycle aged 15 or over, and especially people with a link to Ataxia UK or an 
association with someone who has previously participated.

The ride takes place around the Yorkshire Wolds on 10^(th) September, with sponsorship
expected to take the overall total from all Big Bike Rides to date to over £1 million.
The ride will be followed by a Black Tie Millionaires Ball for any rider or sponsor
that has helped the ride reach the £1 million target.

## Advertisement

The last event, which took place in Yorkshire in 2014, raised £140,000, and took
the overall total to £960,000. Entry to the 2016 event is now open and can be completed
[online](https://www.bigbadbikeride.com/apply.php).

Kennedy said:

> “We don’t want top cyclists… we want to give people a challenge, give them a reason
> to get fit and supply a purpose to raise as much as possible for Ataxia UK. We
> don’t want to break the £1 million barrier, we want to fire a missile right through
> it.”

 * **[New leadership programme launches for Hull & East Riding social & cultural leaders](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/09/06/new-leadership-programme-launches-hull-east-riding-social-cultural-leaders/)**(
   6 September 2017)
 * **[Zeal donates digital skills to Age UK Leeds](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/09/26/zeal-donates-digital-skills-age-uk-leeds/)**(
   26 September 2018)
 * **[Npower Business Solutions adds £5 million to its community fund](https://fundraising.co.uk/2025/06/12/npower-business-solutions-adds-5-million-to-its-community-fund/)**(
   12 June 2025)