Oxford United in the Community Trustee Stuart Bradney set off today on the Thinking of Oscar 500-mile cycling challenge.
Stuart will be joined later in the week by United’s charity Patron James Constable for the final 200 miles.
Oxford United in the Community partnered with the fellow Oxfordshire charity to support the drive to help improve child healthcare via innovation.
The #TOO500 event is a 500-mile cycle ride over five days, visiting the UK’s major children’s hospitals to raise money for innovation in child healthcare.
Stuart started his challenge with the core #TOO500 cycling team from the Oxford Children’s Hospital today.
Just before setting off he said: “The atmosphere is fantastic; after all the talking, training and preparation the day is finally upon us and everyone is keen to get cracking.
“It will be a tremendous challenge, but it is for an incredibly important cause that we’re proud to be supporting.”
#TOO500 aims to raise £500,000 to invest in innovative projects at six children’s hospitals and act as a catalyst for positive change in child healthcare nationally. After setting off from Oxford Children’s Hospital, the cyclists will visit other major children’s hospitals in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and London.
Thinking of Oscar was set up by Hannah and David Cole in memory of their son Oscar, who died suddenly and unexpectedly in Oxford on June 19th 2014.
James Constable said: “I’m really looking forward to it and to helping raise awareness and money for Thinking of Oscar. If any United supporters are able to and can donate it would all help this special campaign.
“I know first-hand what an incredible job the staff at children’s hospitals do, the team at Great Ormond Street have been first class in helping my daughter Mollie and my family.”
Chris Lowes, Head of Oxford United in the Community, said: “Oxford United in the Community is proud to support Thinking of Oscar and help highlight the importance of improving child healthcare via technology and innovation. We wish everybody involved all the very best for the event.”
Hannah Cole, of Thinking of Oscar, said: “It’s fantastic to be at the starting line and to see so much support and a real determination to make a difference to child healthcare via innovation and technology. We wish every participant the very best for the event and thank everyone who is taking part and who has helped in any way.”
You can sponsor James Constable here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-constable9
Or you can sponsor Stuart Bradney here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stu-bradney
For more information about Thinking of Oscar visit: https://thinkingofoscar.com/