Doctors Mix Pedal Power With Horse Power In Cycle Ride To Le Mans For Dorset’s Hospices

Some of Dorset’s leading doctors from Poole and Bournemouth hospitals are joining forces to pedal their way to the most historic endurance motor race on the planet, the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Dr Howard Brownlow, a Consultant in Anaesthetics at Poole General Hospital, and Mr Simon Richards, a local Orthopaedic Consultant, will be leading the 17-strong team on the 200 plus-mile sponsored cycle ride in aid of  Lewis-Manning Hospice and Julia's House.

Starting on 10 June, the group will set off from Cherbourg to undertake three 70-75-mile legs to arrive at Le Mans on 12 June. Day one will see the group, which includes a variety of local consultant doctors and businessmen, a physiotherapist and two support vehicle drivers, pedal from Cherbourg to Avranche. The second day will cover the route onto Argentan before finally arriving to enjoy the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours Race 2009 on day three.

Le Mans Aide has already attracted astonishing support to raise £7,500 towards the £10,000 target while the project has received vital backing from Travel Destinations.

Dr Howard Brownlow comments: “I am a keen cyclist and I wanted to combine a cycling trip with fundraising for two key local charities. As a group our abilities, both on a bike and to look good in lycra, it would be fair to say are varied, but much training and sacrificing of beer calories is going on in the meantime and I'm sure our elite band of brothers will not let the charities down.

“The fundraising efforts have long been under way by means of sponsorship and we will be collecting all along the route. We will be cycling in two groups of seven, so if you spot us flying along in our yellow tour shirts, whether at the Poole Ferry or in France, give us a honk and help cheer us on to the finishing post.”

Dawn Morrison, Lewis-Manning Hospice Communications Officer, added: “We are very grateful to all those who make up the team.  It’s great to have people taking part in fundraising events in aid of local causes.  Sponsorship money from these types of events is really important fundraising income for us and helps us to continue providing vital care services to the local community.”