News
Rhone Cycle Randonnée Challenge 2019
Another big ride completed. Another interesting part of Europe experienced on two wheels.
Through world-famous vineyards to the wetlands of the Camargue; past Roman ruins in Oranges and Nimes, and through ancient towns and villages , crossing the Rhone six times over the three days.
Some of the climbs were tough, some of the route was cycle paths along the Rhone and through woods.
We cycled through Haute Loire, Ardeche, Auvergne/Rhone-Alps, Drome, Vaucluse, Gard, Bouches-du-Rhone, and the Languedoc-Rousillon, through the Camargue and finishing by the sea near the medieval walled town Aigues-Mortes.
An amazing experience for everyone and another challenge accomplished.
SG funded Research will show incredible impact
The King’s College London Research unit underwent a very successful scientific review (Feb 2018), and a forthcoming report will show the incredible impact of all the fundraising the SGTF has done and continues to do.
‘Breast Cancer Now’ “thanks the Sarah Greene Tribute Fund for their generous support of Prof Tony Ng’s and Prof Andrew Tutt’s work, at the Breast Cancer Now Research Unit at King’s College London.”
Riding the Olympic Velodrome
Several SG riders were lucky enough to experience riding the London Olympic velodrome in 2017, under the watchful eye of GB team gold medallist Philip Hindes.
After some training and circuit rides, and getting used to being clipped in with no brakes, it was then a lap against the clock. Times averaged around 18 seconds, from a moving start. Our Olympian track riders can do a lap in about half that!
A truly amazing experience!
(This experience can be purchased ‘as a present’ with money to charity http://www.legacy300.com/online-store/TRACK-CYCLING-EXPERIENCE-RIDE-400-p93243138 ).
Dr Sheeba Irshad funding for new research programme
Dr Sheeba Irshad has been appointed Clinical Deputy Head of King’s College London Research Unit Programme, and also received funding for her new research programme from CR-UK as a Clinician Scientist Fellow, to help fund work and progress the findings from her PhD work as a Sarah Greene Clinical Fellow. The work will investigate what factors influence the immune cells to enter the triple negative breast cancers and how we can exploit these mechanisms therapeutically.
“As you have been so responsible for funding Dr Irshad’s work at KCL to date, I hope you can all feel very proud of her continued success and influence.” Breast Cancer Now
Prudential London 100 Rides
Two Sarah Greene riders complete their 5th Prudential London 100 Ride, raising funds and contributing another £1500 on this 2017 ride to the Sarah Greene fund.
Simon Halden and Freddie Barker celebrate after crossing the finish line of the 2017 course, in the Mall. Despite a cool and early start, the weather stayed dry, unlike the 2014 event which was so torrentially wet that pavements were submerged in places and the course was shortened as Leith Hill and Box Hill became too dangerous to descend.
Olympic Gold Medals
This is what an Olympic Gold medal looks like, in case you haven’t got one yourself.
…. actually deceptively heavy!
This (and another gold again in 2016) belongs to British team track cyclist Philip Hindes, winning the Men’s team sprint twice.
Ruta Costa Verde ride
The 2016 Sarah Green charity ride, the Ruta Costa Verde in northern Spain, was another great success; fully booked out with riders from all walks of life, and all capabilities and managed again by Phil Deeker’s highly professional team. There were some challenging climbs, (there isn’t a lot of flat in this part of Spain!), and probably the longest continuous weaving downhill in all the SG rides to date.
Everyone finished with a lot to celebrate, in the very charming beside-the-sea Santander.
Morocco fund raising ride
Four SG riders rode an extraordinary 1000 kms from Agadir to Marrakech in 7 days of 2013, through steep climbs of the Lower Atlas mountains (one a continuous grinding 19 miles uphill), staying in ryads and an old fort, past oasis villages, and into the desert at Erfoud.
“A truly amazing experience, wonderful local food and hospitality, interesting roads-or lack of- in places, lunar landscapes, and a horizon that never seemed to get any closer!”
Polly Wood Concert in Aid of the SGBTF
Polly Wood performing songs from her new debut album, exclusively in aid of The Sarah Greene Tribute Fund.
Polly has been writing songs since the age of 12 but was instantly recognised as a huge talent on her first demo CD. Polly has since been doing live solo work and with other world class musicians. While mainly focused on creating her own material, and co-writing, Polly has lent her vocal talent to various other artists, including featuring on several tracks of a John Illsley album.
Cycle Istanbul to Hong Kong
Alex Middleton and James Froome cycled an epic journey from Istanbul to Hong Kong.
Travelling through Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and across China.
Travelling for 6 months until April 2014, through the winter and extreme cold (down to -40 with wind chill), an amazing total of around 10,000 miles.
Raising awareness for the Sarah Greene Tribute Fund.
The Straits Concert
Having just completed their first successful UK and European tour The Straits (formed by former members of Dire Straits) performed their brilliant show playing Dire Straits greatest hits in a one off charity event for the Sarah Greene Tribute Fund on the 21st June 2012 at the O2 Empire Shepherd’s Bush, London. It was a fantastic night for all !
270 Mile Canoe Challenge
Charlie Elwes, Oliver Gillen and Mark Lambert (aged 14/15 years, at Radley) completed their enormous challenge of canoeing over 150 miles from Balazuc in the Ardèche region of France all the way south, down the Rhone to the Mediterranean sea. (July 2012)
The boys completed the epic trip in 6 days, covering over 35 miles per day, and putting in around 50,000 paddle strokes each! In the gorges 30% of the river is rapids, of which 5% are dangerous.
At the outset they had varying experience, Olly being the most experienced, and Mark and Charlie novices.
They hope to have raised over £5,000.
“Highlights were the spectacular natural stone bridge of Pont D’Arc, soaring cliff walls of the gorge, just the sound of birds and roar of the rapids, a lot of kit all in waterproof bags strapped to the canoes, lots of capsizing, lost sunglasses, lots of wet kit, bivouacking under the stars, dive bombed by hundreds of small bats, castles, two otters, and Le Petit Rhone which flows through the Carmargue wildlife reserve past white horses, gypsies and bulls together with teeming birdlife including flamingos.”
Haz’s Marathon Run
In April 2012, following 6 months of tough training, Haz ran the London Marathon, raising money for The Sarah Greene Tribute Fund.
“Spending lots of time with Harry (Sarah’s son) has made me want to do something for this tremendous charity.”
Bradfield Boys Bike Ride
Felix Belfied, Harry Boden, Chris Hudson and Will Minter-Kemp took on the huge task of cycling from Bradfield College near Reading to Polzeath in Cornwall for The Sarah Greene Tribute Fund.
17 years old Felix, Harry, Chris and Will took up this challenge as they wanted to test themselves and raise money for a charity with personal connections. Cycling over 80 miles a day, they began as novices and the tough hills of Devon and Cornwall pushed them to the max.
Rookwood Plant Fair & Charlotte Digby
Charlotte Digby, a long term supporter of the SGBTF (who cycled to Paris in 2008 and in the Bruges to Spa ride in 2012) organised another successful specialist plant fair at Rookwood Farmhouse, Stockcross.
Charlotte very kindly donated half the money generated from the plant fair to Sarah’s trust (and the rest to the Red Cross).
Six amazing nurseries including Hardy’s (which win gold medals every year at Chelsea) supported her there.
St. Botolph’s Church And Swyncombe PCC
Simon Halden was pleased to be invited to the wonderful church of St. Botolph’s Church in the beautiful Oxfordshire village of Swyncombe and addressed and updated the congregation on the latest news regarding the Sarah Greene Tribute Fund. (Dec 2011)
“We are very grateful that St. Botolph’s and the Swyncombe PCC is supporting the SGBTF as one of their chosen charities and for their support.”