Bike Unite for Children to benefit Alder Hey Imagine Appeal
Howard Lake | 16 April 2009 | News
Actor and presenter Simon O’Brien who shot to fame in Liverpool’s legendary TV soap Brookside is backing Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in the first ever Bike Unite for Children on 28th June 2009 and he wants the North-West to “Get on your bike” for children! Simon is currently presenting ‘To Buy Or Not To Buy’ on BBC 1 and Saturday Breakfast on CityTalk Radio right here in the Northwest.
Bike Unite for Children is organised by Alder Hey Imagine Appeal who has joined forces with Manchester Children’s Hospital for the inaugural event which takes place on 28th June 2009. Cyclists will set off in Manchester and travel 37 miles along the Trans-Pennine Way to Calderstones Park in Liverpool.
Simon O’Brien who is well known for his love of cycling explained, “I decided to use a bike to get around because of my concerns about the future of the Planet and it seems perfectly natural to me for Alder Hey and Manchester Children’s Hospital holding a bike ride to raise money because these fantastic hospitals help the next generation have the best possible future and what healthier way to help improve children’s health than a great day out in the saddle. I also think it is fortunate we are starting in Manchester and heading to Liverpool as this will allow us Scousers to, once more, show our illustrious Mancunian neighbours the way.”
Laura Gartshore, Specialist Registrar at Alder Hey has already signed up for her place as part of her year long mission to raise money for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal. Only Laura didn’t stop with Bike Unite for Children she’s signed herself up for an additional ten marathons!
Laura who is excited about taking part for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal said: “Alder Hey is an incredible place to work. The staff strive so hard each day on behalf of our little visitors. After signing up for my 10 charity runs this year I was looking for a final event to enter which involved something other than running! Bike Unite is perfect and I’m really looking forward to the challenge and crossing the finish line in Liverpool – I just hope I can cycle 37 miles without getting a puncture!”
You can give Laura your support at
www.justgiving.com/lauraruns2009
Bike Unite for Children will bond hundreds of supporters cycling for thousands of children in the North-West. The entry fee is £35 per person which includes transport to Manchester for the participant and their bicycle. Places are strictly limited with only 500 available and capacity is expected to fill up fast. The race is now on between the two hospitals to fill up their places and Alder Hey are hoping to reach their quota before their Manchester counterparts and need the support of local bike riders if they are to do this.
If you don’t manage to get your place this year both hospitals are hoping to turn it into an annual event. To register now go to www.imagineappeal.com or contact Rachel on 0151 252 5726 ra************@al******.uk
Alder Hey Imagine Appeal was launched in 2005 by Yoko Ono and currently raises funds to support the pioneering work of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital – Europe’s busiest. Around 250,000 young patients annually receive treatment at the hospital for everything from broken bones to more complex conditions such as cancer and congenital heart disease. The Appeal aims to raise around £3 million every year to improve the quality of life for children in hospital by enhancing their environment to providing facilities for patients and their families. In addition, Imagine funds the most advanced medical equipment and research into those conditions our children suffer from today, in the hope that they won’t in the future.
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About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.