James Cracknell Leads 2016 Charity Cycling Dinner Line-up

Former rowing world champion and double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell OBE will lead a glittering line-up of sporting stars at Action Medical Research’s Champions of CycleSport Dinner later this year.

The inspiring athlete and adventurer will be guest of honour at the highlight of the cycling social calendar in aid of the UK-wide children’s charity on Thursday, 24 November 2016.

Joining him on the red carpet at Battersea Evolution will be 2012 Olympic champion Dani King MBE, who’ll be concentrating on road racing at Rio 2016, as well as Paralympian Jody Cundy MBE and Movistar’s Alex Dowsett.

Scottish former professional road racing cyclist David Millar, Sir Dave Brailsford CBE and Roger Hammond, Team Manager at Madison Genesis, will also be on the guest list at the seventh annual Champions of CycleSport Dinner, supported by Maserati and Garmin.

Peter Denton, Region Manager of Maserati North Europe, says: “The Action Medical Research Champions of CycleSport Dinner is a great opportunity to help raise money for such a worthy cause. Through the Maserati brands’ involvement in cycling we have been able to see first-hand how Action have continued to develop the event into an evening that everyone interested in cycling and supporting such a great charity should want to attend. We are delighted to be able to offer our support to make this another special evening.”

Dawn Ramsay, General Manager of Garmin UK, says: “Garmin is delighted to be working with Action Medical Research to support the Champions of CycleSport Dinner for another year. It’s wonderful to have the support of such accomplished sportspeople to help raise vital funds for such a worthwhile cause, whilst simultaneously championing the fantastic sport of cycling. We’re looking forward to seeing what this year’s event has in store.”

The high-profile Champions of CycleSport Dinner, which is also sponsored by BDOVELO, reflects Action Medical Research’s passion for all things cycling and guests can mingle with some of the world’s greatest cyclists while helping sick and vulnerable babies and children.

Chris Grove, partner at BDO LLP, said “BDOVELO is delighted to be able to support Action Medical Research and the excellent work they do, by sponsoring this tremendous event for a third year.”

The charity, which organises a series of high-profile rides throughout the year, helps to save and change children’s lives through medical research. Together with its supporters, Action Medical Research has played a significant role in many medical breakthroughs for more than 60 years, from the development of the first UK polio vaccines to the use of ultrasound in pregnancy.

In addition to premature birth, it is currently funding research into meningitis, Down syndrome and epilepsy, as well as some rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.

Last year’s sold-out event raised almost £250,000 with unmissable auction prizes including a trip for two to Mallorca with Team Sky on their training camp in January and the chance to spend a day in the Madison Genesis team car with manager Roger Hammond at the 2016 Tour of Britain. Chris Froome’s signed yellow jersey and a six-week bespoke training plan from Rowe & King were also on offer to the highest bidders, while a Paul Oz painting of Geraint Thomas – signed by the man himself on the night – sold for £4,000.

Tables for the 2016 event for 10 people are available in Bronze, Silver or Gold class – the coveted Gold standard has the best view in the house and your very own cycling legend guaranteed at your table. For more information and to get your hands on the cycling industry’s hottest tickets, please visit action.org.uk/champions-cyclesport