Ambassador for cycling events

Joanna, who received an MBE in the 2013 New Year’s honours list, won GOLD for Team GB in the Women’s Team Pursuit in last summer’s Olympics. For 2013 Joanna will be riding for the new Wiggle Honda Women’s Pro Cycling Team to compete on the road in both the UK and Europe.

Action Medical Research has established an impressive reputation for its programme of cycling events. The charity’s 2013 ride portfolio features 23 rides, including the three Action DIVA women only rides, as well as the RIDE100 series of one-day regional UK rides and the UK’s original 24 hour relay race – RIDE24.

There are also a number of longer-distance challenges including Action 3 Cities (London, Amsterdam, Brussels), UK End2End (taking on the iconic Land’s End to John o’Groats route over nine days), and the biggest London to Paris ride in the charity sector.

Joanna said: “I am delighted to be an ambassador for children’s charity Action Medical Research again this year. After the huge success of the London Olympics I hope many people have been inspired to get on their bikes. Riding for Action Medical Research is a great way to raise money as well as get fit and the charity has a wide variety of different events, including some women’s only events, which suit both beginners as well as experienced cyclists.”

Watch a video interview with Joanna at the 2012 Champions of CycleSport Dinner for Action Medical Research: http://youtu.be/rAM9cPBGGmo

David Graham, head of fundraising at Action Medical Research, said: “We are proud to be associated with an inspirational champion of Joanna’s calibre and to have her as Cycling Ambassador for Action Medical Research is very special. Cycling is such an important part of our fundraising and Joanna’s involvement will encourage even more people to jump in the saddle to raise vital funds for our important work to help sick babies and children.”

Action Medical Research has been funding medical breakthroughs since 1952. The charity is currently supporting work around Down syndrome, epilepsy, sickle cell disease, and diabetes, as well as some rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.

For more information about the Action Medical Research cycling programme visit the website www.action.org.uk/cycling

For more information on Joanna Rowsell visit www.joannarowsell.com

TONI SLATER

Communications manager, Action Medical Research, North Parade, Horsham