Ambassadors
The Prostate Cancer Charity is thrilled to have a wide variety of celebrities on board to support the 2010 Tour Rides.
Nicole Barber Lane: Actor
“The Tour Rides are a brilliant idea and I’m really looking forward to having a great family day out. I will be riding for my dad, who was successfully treated for prostate cancer last year. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. 35,000 men are diagnosed with the disease every year, and one man dies every hour. The Prostate Cancer Charity funds research, campaigns, provides support and information and raises awareness. It’s a really important cause and it means a lot to me. I hope as many people as possible will be able to join me on the Family Ride in Stoke.”
Mark Bright: Ex Footballer and Pundit
“The Prostate Cancer Charity's London Tour Ride was brilliant fun last year and as a born and bred Stoke boy, I am really keen to complete the stage around my home town this year. My health is extremely important to me and I love getting on my bike and heading off for an adventure. I am urging people across Stoke to sign up and get involved, whether they want to go the full distance or get their kids on a tandem in the family ride.”
Ed Clancy MBE: Professional Cyclist
“Cycling is my greatest passion and I am really keen to try and get people up and down the country involved in the sport. It is an excellent way to get fit and healthy and everyone who signs up to take part in The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Rides are helping to raise awareness of the disease, which kills 10,000 men in the UK every year. The great thing about the events is that they are making cycling accessible for everyone. Die hard cycling fans get the chance to put themselves to the test against us pro riders and people who have never ridden a bike before in their lives can take on an actual route of The Tour of Britain. Those who decide to take on the pro ride are in for a real challenge, as the routes are not for the light-hearted. Cycling such a long distance and over difficult terrain is a huge achievement and I would urge people to push themselves to the limit and give it a go today."
James Cracknell OBE: Ex Olympic Rower and TV Presenter
“Raising money and challenging yourself at the same time is the perfect combination, which is why I’ve decided to support The Prostate Cancer Charity’s Tour Ride this year. People have the opportunity to ride the full 145km of the Tour of Britain professional leg in Stoke. Its ‘one beast of a ride’ and so it will be the perfect opportunity to tackle a track that will really test them. Or, people can opt for the 70km and 20km routes, and bring the whole family along. I want as many amateur cyclists and families as possible, whatever their cycling ability, to come forward and join in this challenge. People can also take the fun route and enjoy a day out with their friends and family, soaking up the carnival atmosphere at the 18km London Tour Ride later in the month."
Neil Fox: Radio DJ
“I am excited about getting on my bike and riding in support of Unite ByCycling. My dad, who sadly died of prostate cancer eight years ago, would love this project and the way it will unite people and families through the fast growing hobby of cycling.”
Michelle Heaton: Singer and TV Presenter
“Women are generally much more willing to talk about their health than the men in our lives but this doesn’t mean that we should ignore them. This is why I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Unite ByCycling initiative and donning my lycra, hopping on my bike and using some pedal power to do something positive to get the boys thinking about their health too. The Prostate Cancer Charity’s Tour Ride promises to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Kristian House: Professional Cyclist, National Road Race Champion 2009
“I had a fantastic time at The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride in Stoke-on-Trent last year. There was a really good crowd and it was a lot of fun. As well as being a good trial run for the main Tour of Britain event, I was really happy to show my support for The Prostate Cancer Charity. I take part in a lot of professional events, but I also love cycling with my family and friends. That’s why I could really relate to the Charity’s ‘Unite ByCycling’ initiative, which aims to get everyone on two wheels to raise funds and awareness of the disease, whatever their cycling ability. The beauty of these events is that there is a distance for everyone. I hope as many people as possible will sign up and ‘unite by cycling’.”
Damian Lewis: Actor
“I live in North London and I can get to Soho on bike routes in 15 minutes and I love it. We should have more cycle routes. It’s a fantastic way to get about.
“We also ride a lot together as a family. I love having my son and my daughter on the back of my bike. It’s a great way of taking your kids around. Its gets them out of the buggy - and it’s a real treat for them.
“I would encourage everyone to take part, in one of the Unite ByCycling Tour Rides, in either Stoke, or London. The best thing about it is that the roads will be closed and there will not be any cars around. What a brilliant way to see the sights of London. I will definitely be at the start line in London, if my filming schedule permits. I will be bringing the whole family along too to enjoy the carnival atmosphere. Anyone taking on this challenge will also be cycling to show their support for a great cause. I feel passionate about supporting The Prostate Cancer Charity in improving the lives of the 35,000 men, and their families, who are affected by the disease every year.”
Phil Liggett MBE: Sports TV Commentator
“Having covered cycling for more than 40 years, including the Tour de France for the past 37(!), I think I have seen most combinations of a great sport. I fully support the Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Rides as they are an excellent idea and it is fantastic to see how enthusiastically the Charity is backing the sport. More importantly, the Charity is making us realize just how aggressive the disease is and that we males are all likely victims and must be conscious of this. There’s nothing makes me feel better then when I am riding my bike in the countryside with friends and the Tour rides promise all cycling fans an outstanding challenge that will allow people who may never have ridden before, to enjoy the life a professional found a long time ago. I encourage you all to give the Tour Rides a real go with your pals and sign up today.”
Phil out riding with Lance Armstrong
John Pickard: Actor
“I am really excited about taking on The Prostate Cancer Charity's Stoke Tour Ride. Last years event sounded like a lot of fun and it will be amazing to do something so challenging. My grandfather had prostate cancer and so I know more than most about the impact that the disease can have on a family. My character, Dom, would never take on an event like this but I am definitely geared up for it. The Tour Rides offer different distances for cyclists of all abilities and are all about getting people to Unite ByCycling. I would urge anyone who wants a fun and exciting challenge, to sign up today to take part.”
Hugh Porter MBE: Sports TV Commentator
“Over the years I've attended hundreds if not thousands of cycling events, but The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Rides are one of the best ways I've seen of bringing together cyclists of all ages and abilities - from professional riders and keen cycling fans to complete beginners who are just keen to get involved or have a family day out. The Charity is encouraging people across the UK to 'Unite ByCycling' and join together to spread awareness of prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer in men in the UK and affects some 35,000 men every year . The Tour Rides are a one-off opportunity to have a highly enjoyable, memorable day following in the tracks of professional riders on The Tour of Britain whilst also raising awareness for an important cause. ”
Ben Richards: Actor
“In my role in The Bill I have to face all kinds of challenges head on. But, like a lot of men I can sometimes shy away from thinking about my health.
"Yet, with prostate cancer being the most common cancer in men in the UK, we all need to be more aware.
"I thought this event, and The Prostate Cancer Charity's Unite by Cycling initiative seemed like a fantastic way to get the message out there, as well as giving people a fantastic, family day out.
"I am really looking forward to cycling the same route as the pro riders in The Tour of Britain. Almost as challenging as a day on the beat in Sun Hill, and a lot more fun!"
David Schneider: Actor and Comedian
"I'm really looking forward to doing this cycle ride for The Prostate Cancer Charity - if "really looking forward" also means "slightly bloomin' dreading it". I ride a lot in London but have never really cycled in the countryside, where apparently there are green fields and also things called hills and nice views. I've always meant to do something like this and now The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Rides are giving me the chance to take on a stretch of the Tour of Britain, raise awareness of prostate cancer, which affects 35,000 men each year in the UK, and even watch Daley Thomson disappearing into the distance ahead of me on his bike (he's doing the same stretch). I am going to be training in earnest over the next few months and I am looking forward to the big day itself. If I - an urban middle aged man who thinks physical exercise is stroking a cat - can take on a challenge like this, anyone can, so I would urge people whatever their ability to put their name down for The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Rides today."
Daley Thompson: Olympic Gold Medalist
"I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in The Prostate Cancer Charity’s London Ride last year. It was a really great day cycling past some of the capital’s most iconic sights. I wanted to step it up this year and do a longer ride and therefore decided to take on the full distance in the South West. I am looking forward to taking on something fresh. Being a decathlete, I am used to turning my hand to a number of sports and am devising my own training plan which I am confident will get me up those hills."
"African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men. I think the work the Charity is doing to raise awareness in the community is fantastic. I want to do my bit to help to get the message out there. I am really hoping that people will sign and join me on the challenging course. The whole idea of the Charity’s Unite ByCycling initiative is that people come together and cycle whatever distance they like to raise awareness of prostate cancer, and funds to fight the disease, which affects 35,000 men every year and their families, so please sign up and I will see you there."
Rudolph Walker MBE: Actor
“In the African Caribbean community prostate cancer is typically shrouded in myth and secrecy, with many men oblivious to the increased risk they face of developing the disease. Sadly, prostate cancer is not a myth and it is not a disease which just happens to other people. This is why I am keen to spread the word that there are no taboos to this disease and there is no need for embarrassment by encouraging others to Unite ByCycling. I’m already gearing up for The Prostate Cancer Charity’s Tour Ride and, as an honorary Londoner, I’m particularly excited about riding through the streets of our city and taking in the sights like Big Ben and the London Eye on two wheels.”
Bradley Wiggins CBE: Professional Cyclist, Team Sky
“Keeping fit and staying healthy are really important aspects of cycling for me. That’s why The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Rides are such great events. You get an amazing chance to follow in the tracks of professional cyclists on part of The Tour of Britain route and you’re also helping a cause that’s really important for men's health."
