Blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research will be the official charity partner of Britain's biggest cycle races in 2015, including the Friends Life Women's Tour in June and the Friends Life Tour of Britain in September.
The charity will also be the official charity partner at May and June's Pearl Izumi Tour Series and for the mass participation Friends Life Tour Ride sportive in Worcestershire on Sunday 4 October, while two days of the Countrywide Great Tour will also be dedicated to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.
The partnership builds upon 2014 when Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research presented the Best British Rider Jersey at the Friends Life Women's Tour, which was worn by Great Britain's Lucy Garner.
Around 38,000 people are diagnosed with blood cancers and related disorders every year in the UK, with the charity dedicated to improving the lives of patients with all types of blood cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research carry out lifesaving research, run ground-breaking clinical trials, and champion patients' needs, and will be using the partnership with the Tour events to raise awareness amongst spectators and participants of blood cancer.
Commenting on the announcement, Matt Lawley, Head of Sports Events at Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, said:
"We're proud to be the official charity partner and look forward to an exciting year of cycling. This partnership will help us to spread awareness of blood cancer, with thousands of spectators out in force to watch as the cyclists sweep through towns and cities. We hope to raise a lot of money from the partnership, with every penny raised helping us in our mission to beat blood cancer, stop people from dying, and make patients' lives better.”
Olympic Gold medallist Dani King, who is an ambassador for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, says:
"Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research leads from the front when it comes to charity cycling events, with its own prestigious London to Paris ride and the London and Birmingham Bikeathons. I work closely with the charity, using my passion for cycling to help raise awareness of blood cancer and the need for new treatments. I can't wait to be involved again this year.”
Cyclists will be able to sign-up for October's Friends Life Tour Ride sportive via Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research to raise funds and awareness for the charity and to be a part of their team on the day in the official sportive of the Tour of Britain, British cycling's premier road cycling event.
The recently launched Countrywide Great Tour will also have two dedicated fundraising days for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, on Monday 31 August and Tuesday 1 September, which will take riders around the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast from Pembroke Dock to St David's on day one, and then on to Aberystwyth on the second day.
Commenting on the partnership, SweetSpot Group Race Director Mick Bennett said; "We are delighted to welcome the return of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and an extension of our partnership with what is an amazing cause. We hope that through our races we can raise awareness of their campaigns and then cyclists can choose to use the Friends Life Tour Ride and Countrywide Great Tour to raise as much money as possible.”
To find out more about Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, please visit www.leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk