A team of pirates from the Isle of Wight, known as the “Old Cloggers & Young Whippersnappers”, has won the Top Adult Team in this year’s London Bikeathon Awards Ceremony  for Leukaemia Research.

Led by Terry Crow from Godshill, the 100-strong team raised over £10,000 for the UK’s leading blood cancer charity.

It is 12 years since Terry was first diagnosed with leukaemia and this was his twelfth London Bikeathon. To date his cycling team, which has grown year on year, has raised £90,000. 

Terry said:

“This year was bigger and better than ever before with more and more of my friends and family getting involved. My daughter Georgia, who did her first Bikeathon when she was 11, now lives in the States, but even she came over to cycle. It’s quite an operation getting everyone over from the Island, but thanks to the sponsorship of Bed R Us, coach tour operators Seaview Services and Wight Link the journey was made possible.”

“A lot of us dress up as pirates because the Isle of Wight is known for its pirating past and it just adds to the fun. We have done really, really, well with our fundraising, but next year I want to smash the £100,000 mark.”

Alastair Campbell, Leukaemia Research’s Chairman of Fundraising, hosted the evening and presented the award winners and runner-ups with certificates of achievement for their outstanding contribution to fundraising. The event was an opportunity to say thank you to all the top fundraisers and acknowledge everyone who has helped made this year’s London Bikeathon such a huge success.

Alastair Campbell says:

“Terry and his team’s determination to help those with blood cancers by taking part in the Leukaemia Research London Bikeathon is an inspiration to us all. The team raised a fantastic amount and it will help us find better treatments and cures for patients with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.”

Over 6,500 people took part in the 13th London Bikeathon and raised £463,000 for Leukaemia Research.  This was the capital’s biggest mass participation charity bike ride, and passed by some of London’s most famous sights, including Tate Britain, Royal Festival Hall, London Eye, The Old Bailey, Canary Wharf and St Paul’s Cathedral. 

Next year Leukaemia Research is celebrating its 50th anniversary and, to make it an extra special celebration, is calling on all budding cyclists to saddle up and take part in the London Bikeathon. Preparations are already well underway for the flagship event, which will take place on 27 June 2010. Entries will open for next year’s London Bikeathon in January. For more information on the London Bikeathon contact London Bikeathon Coordinator, Danielle Morgan on 020 7269 9097, email: dmorgan@lrf.org.uk  or visit www.londonbikeathon.co.uk