Team Velo and Jack the Lad rock ‘Ride 100’

A team of prominent figures from the local business community have joined forces to take part in the prestigious Ride London 100 cycle challenge to raise funds for a local children’s charity.

Nigel Lambe, James Cuthbertson and Paul Nicholson of the Velo Cafe on The Level, Brighton, have put together a team for Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 to raise money for Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.

Iain McKenna, CEO of Global Radio and Jack the Lad, Heart Radio Presenter, will also be joining Team Velo in a bid to raise £10,000 for the charity.

Team Velo will join 24,000 cyclists taking on a 100 mile cycling challenge through London and Surrey on a similar route taken by London 2012 Olympic Road Cycling Races, making RideLondon a true Legacy of the London 2012 Olympics.

The team which includes an architect, two doctors, a chocolate maker and a movie producer will train with the Velo Cafes’ regular club rides which start from the cafe on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.

Rockinghorse is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and vital supporter of the Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton and the Special Care Baby Unit in Hayward’s Heath.

James Cuthbertson, who’s daughter Katie, spent several weeks at the Trevor Mann unit last year, knows of the work their tireless work first hand: “The team of doctors and nurses at the Trevor Mann unit are amazing.

“The care, attention to detail and selflessness they demonstrate day in day out is something parents and children who go through their wards owe a debt of gratitude for.

“As a local business, we wanted to support a local charity and the Rockinghorse is the perfect fit for us.

“I’m also delighted that Neil Aiton, who was our consultant during our time at the Trevor Mann Unit will be joining us on the ride and it’s a real team effort.”

Jack the Lad, who is kindly being sponsored by Giant Bikes in Shoreham for the challenge, said: “I truly believe and am inspired by the work Rockinghorse do it is a pleasure to be associated with such a charity.

“I am not a cyclist and haven’t been on a bike for the longest time but Giant bikes in Shoreham have put me on a brilliant bike with a brilliant team and the guys at Dark Star Brewery Co. have promised me as much beer as I like when it is all over so for me it is a win-win.”