Press Release - 19th December 2006
CYCLING FOR SPUD
Pictured presenting a cheque to for this year's event to Christie regional appeals officer Jacky Plant are Bernard Metcalfe (left) and Dave Riley.Cycling enthusiasts in Manchester and Cheshire have been getting on their bikes to raise money for The Christie Hospital and have now raised more than £27,000.
The money has been raised by Manchester Velo Cycling Club, based in Offerton, in memory of George ‘Spud' Riley, who sadly died of leukaemia in 2001 following treatment at the Christie.
Since he passed away friends at the club have organised two annual events in his memory - the Polka Dot Challenge and the Spud Riley Memorial Ride. Both are 100 mile rides through the Cheshire countryside. This year's events have raised £9,000, taking the grand total to a wonderful £27,000 for The Christie's Adult Leukaemia Unit.
George's brother Dave, from Handforth in Wilmslow, is a member of Manchester Velo Cycling Club and helps organised the rides. He said: "We're thrilled to raise so much money and each year the events just keep getting bigger and better. It's a real pleasure because it demonstrates how popular my brother was that we can raise so much money to honour him in this way. We started off a few years ago with about 80 people and now we have more than 500 entering and have to turn people away. Its hard work but it is worth it to raise so much money for such a worthy cause. We were very grateful for everything The Christie did for Spud and hopefully this money will go someway towards helping other patients and their families."
Entry for the 2007 races, which take place in June and August is now open. Visit www.polkadotchallenge.co.uk for more information.
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The Christie in Manchester is one of the leading cancer centres in Europe - registering around 12,500 new patients and treating about 40,000 patients every year.
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