GTF becomes the official charity of the UK’s biggest cycling festival
Future – the special interest media group – has signed the Geoff Thomas Foundation as official charity to support its forthcoming cycling festival, BikeRadar Live.
The foundation will partner with BikeRadar Live to raise money for leukaemia research, and ex-England and Crystal Palace footballer Geoff Thomas will ride the 100 mile Cycling Plus Sportive. Cyclists riding the 100 mile or 60 mile sportive routes through the Peak District are being encouraged to raise money for the Geoff Thomas Foundation and the top fundraiser will win a day’s cycling with Geoff.
Geoff was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2003 and given just a 30% chance of survival. A bone marrow transplant from his sister saved his life, but not all blood cancer sufferers are as lucky, and rely on state-of-the-art drugs to save their lives. The Geoff Thomas Foundation supports scientific research into new drugs, and taking part in the Cycling Plus Sportive will help fund further research.
Geoff took to cycling as part of his rehabilitation after being inspired by Lance Armstrong. He has since conquered the route of the Tour de France twice – every stage, in full, and declared that he wished he had discovered cycling earlier in life.
He said:
“The sportive event looks fantastic, with lots of challenging terrain and some wonderfully quiet lanes, which are perfect for cycling. There will be a large group of Geoff Thomas Foundation riders taking part and I’m delighted that Future Publishing and BikeRadar Live have appointed the GTF as the official charity of the event. I’m also looking forward to getting out on the road with the cyclist who raises the most money on the day.”
Riders in the Cycling Plus Sportive are being encouraged to raise sponsorship money with the opportunity to spend a day cycling with Geoff. Simply download sponsorship forms from bikeradar.com/live or activate a JustGiving site.
About BikeRadar Live
BikeRadar Live is the biggest ever mass-participation cycling event to hit the UK, and will take place on the weekend of 30–31 May 2009 at Donington Park in Leicestershire.
The weekend will be packed full of races and challenges, with something for everyone, whether you want to compete, watch your friends and family or just check out some of the world’s best riders.
Entry into any of the events gives you full access to the festival’s many attractions including spectacular all-weather stunt displays, invitational dirt jump and dual slalom comps, a cycling film festival, live big top entertainment and the Scott Sunset DJ Sessions. Test yourself against pro and celebrity riders in the Procycling Hot Laps, post a time in the Wattbike comp or take the kids along to the CycleActive skills school. A purpose-built bikes and accessories expo will give festival-goers the chance to ride the latest bikes from leading brands and grab show-only deals on bikes and accessories.
Events include the Cycling Plus Sportive (100km & 100 mile), the Whyte Night Enduros (12hr & 4hr), eliminator dual-slalom and the Devil Takes the Hindmost circuit race.
BikeRadar Live’s world-class facilities include on-site camping with a kids and family area, secure bike lock-up, showers, bike wash, workshop, picnic area, medical centre, viewing stands and food and drink market.
BikeRadar Live is brought to you by Future, the makers of MBUK, Cycling Plus, BikeRadar.com, What Mountain Bike, Cyclingnews.com and Procycling.
For more details go to www.bikeradar.com/live
Geoff Thomas
Geoff Thomas played mostly for Crystal Palace and won nine England caps. The Geoff Thomas Foundation is aiming to fund blood cancer nurses at six centres of excellence in Birmingham, Nottingham, London, Cambridge, Oxford and Manchester. Find our more at http://www.geoffthomasfoundation.org.
About Future
Future plc is an international special-interest media group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are passionate about their interests. We hold strong market positions in games, film, music, technology, cycling, automotive and crafts. Our biggest-selling magazines include T3, Total Film, Digital Camera, Fast Car, Classic Rock, Guitar World, Official Xbox Magazine, Official Playstation Magazine, Nintendo Power, Maximum PC and MacLife. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, techradar.com, and musicradar.com. Future produces over 4 million magazines each month; we attract more than 18 million unique visitors to our websites; and we host 25 annual live events that attract hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. In addition, Future exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of monthly magazines.
For further information
For more information please contact Jen Campbell, Communications Executive on 01225 732269 or jen.campbell@futurenet.com
