Charity Cycle Team Raise Vital Funds to Help Beat Blood Cancer

Charity Cycle Team Raise Vital Funds to Help Beat Blood Cancer

13 February 2012

A team of cyclists fielded by South Yorkshire company Dransfield Properties Ltd have completed the fifth leg of their cycle Tour of Europe - raising more than £15,000 for blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Some of the cyclists met Geoff Thomas, former England footballer and blood cancer survivor, when they visited the charity’s London headquarters to present the cheque from their 2011 bike ride.

A total of more than £45,000 was raised overall which was shared between the team’s three nominated charities.

The 15 colleagues and friends from Dransfield Properties Ltd, an award winning retail developers and leaders in urban regeneration, took on the challenge in 2007 cycling from London to Paris and aim to finish in 2020 back in at London Bridge where the first challenge began.

The 2011 leg, which took place in September last year  took the cyclists from Portofino, 340 miles along the coast, to Rome. Later this year the team will once again be supporting Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research when they tackle the mountainous route from Rome across Italy to Bari and on to Dubrovnik.

Mark Dransfield, Managing Director of Dransfield Properties Ltd, said: “Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research has been one of our nominated charities since the very first leg of our ride in 2007.

"We had the opportunity last year to see first hand some of the amazing research that our fundraising helps to support here in my home city of Sheffield so we are delighted to have been able to support this great cause during our 2011 ride. We’re extremely grateful to everyone who continues to support our challenge allowing us to raise such a fantastic amount for our chosen charities.

“It was a real privilege to meet Geoff Thomas who is such a great ambassador for the charity and we’ll definitely be inviting him on this year’s ride!”

Dan Solley, Head of Sports Events for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research said: “It’s great that Dransfield Properties Ltd have organised this event. Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research receives no government funding and every penny raised will help make a difference to the lives of patients with blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.”

You can still support Dransfield Properties Ltd to beat blood cancers by visiting their fundraising page at If you’d like to donate to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research or would like to take part in one of our events, please visit beatingbloodcancers.org.uk

If you’re inspired to do some fundraising with your work colleagues or find out how your company can help us beat blood cancers please call 020 7504 2216 or email companies@beatingbloodcancers.org.uk.

 The ride also raised money for The Childrens Hospital Charity in Sheffied and the NSPCC.

ENDS

Picture shows L-R Cyclists Tim and Will Downing meeting Geoff Thomas as well as Mark Dransfield and Dean Draper who are also part of the cycle team. 

**Photos and interview opportunities available**

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Press Office

Email: press@beatingbloodcancers.org.uk | Tel: 020 7269 9019

Notes to editors

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Around 30,000 people of all ages, from children and teenagers to adults are diagnosed with a blood cancer in the UK every year.

We receive no government funding and rely entirely on voluntary support. In the next five years we need to raise £120 million to continue our lifesaving research. Further information, including patient information booklets, is available from beatingbloodcancers.org.uk or on 020 7504 2200.

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk