ATG Biking Group Raises Over £9,700 for Macmillan Cancer Support

A team of biking enthusiasts from the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) have raised over £9,700for Macmillan Cancer Support smashing their initial £2,500 target.

Team ATG joined hundreds of fluorescent riders to take part in the Action Challenge Moonriders2013 London to Brighton cycle challenge, a unique 100km night-time charity bike ride.

The event took place on 12 and 13 July, starting in the Capital at Hackney Marshes and finishing on the south coast in Hove Recreation Park, Brighton. The route included the notorious hill of Ditchling Beacon, one of the highest points on the South Downs.

Team ATG left London at 11pm on 12 July and crossed the finish line in Brighton at 8am on 13 July, with a total ride time of 7.5 hours.

Team ATG consisted of Diane Newnham (Customer Experience Director), Luke Hudson (Deputy Theatre Manager Apollo Victoria), David Bradbury (Group Press Officer), Max Bittleston(Production Accounts Assistant), Imogen Sarre (Project Management & Content Strategy Executive, Digital Marketing), Patrick Kennedy (Digital Sales and Marketing Executive) and stage performer David Rudin.

Liz Hemming, Cycling Events Programme Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "The epic London to Brighton Moonrider cycling challenge is certainly not for the feint hearted but the team from the Ambassador Theatre Group certainly rose to the challenge. After 100km of hilly cycling through the night they were still in high spirits as they crossed the finish line, and with good reason. Having raised an absolutely incredible £9,700 for Macmillan Cancer Support, they will make an enormous difference to the lives of people living with cancer. It has been a privilege to work with such a dedicated group of people, who have taken Macmillan one step closer to our goal of ensuring that no one has to face cancer alone."

Rosemary Squire, ATG's Joint CEO, said "Congratulations to Team ATG for completing the Moonriders cycle challenge and for running such a fantastic fundraising campaign. A wonderful achievement, we're all very proud of you."

Diane Newnham said, "What a fantastic adventure! There were highs and lows (literally!) during our 9 hour journey and the sense of team spirit amongst all the riders was overwhelming. My personal highlight was in the dead of night when my front light had failed and I had an escort from my two comrades Dave and Patrick who gallantly helped me through the pitch black country lanes telling me the rustling noises in the bushes were nothing to fear! I am really proud of the amount of money we raised for Macmillan Cancer Support, and a massive thank you to everyone who donated and supported us."

David Bradbury said, "The Moonride was an adventure I'll never forget, from chicaning through the traffic on the busy London streets to racing down country lanes in complete darkness in moments of quiet and solitude. This whole experience from start to finish has been incredible and the generosity of our friends, families, colleagues, customers and suppliers has been overwhelming. Thank you to everyone who supported us."

Imogen Sarre said, "I found the whole Moonriding experience hugely exhilarating. There was a real communal spirit, an almost tangible buzz of excitement, and great satisfaction to be had from completing the challenge and raising so much money for Macmillan."

Team ATG would like to thank the following ATG theatres for their fundraising efforts through bucket collections; (in the regions) Edinburgh Playhouse, Liverpool Empire, New Victoria TheatreWoking and Stoke Regent Theatre; (and in London) Apollo Victoria, Duke of York's andPiccadilly. Thanks must go to the ATG Ticketing Office for their baking skills and healthy appetites in the Great Vauxhall Bake Sale. Special mention also to Adam McHale and Bridie Williams atTheatre Royal Brighton for welcoming the Team following the completion of the event, MyHotel Brighton who supplied towels and shower goodies and Jaspers who provided breakfast.

And special thanks to Team ATG's sponsors and suppliers; The Glow Company for providing reflective bike gear to keep the Team visible during the night, Kraft / Kenco for their donation and sponsorship of the Team's cycle jerseys, Britvic for providing Gatorade energy drinks, Paul Clappof Limelight Studios for official Team promotional photography, Mark Pinnock for supplying the Team's support vehicle and event photography on the night and The Opera Glasses Company,Beechdean Ice Creams, 3663 and Mark Pinnock for their generous donations.

Although the event may be over, it's still not too late to keep giving. Please visit the Just Giving site and help keep the total rising for Macmillan Cancer Support http://www.justgiving.com/atgmoonriders.