Thank you for visiting our fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor us online.

To raise money for The RUSS Appeal we are riding in British Cycling’s ‘British Sportive’ - a 120 mile road ride from London to Canterbury which follows the same route as the first stage of this year’s Tour de France one week before the professionals take their turn. That’s a long way on a bike, and it’s going to be tough going – all we ask of you is that you give us some money, and then sit back relax and let us do the hard bit!

The RUSS Appeal! What’s that?

Sometimes things happen that touch the true reality of life. Russ Pinder’s mountain biking accident and subsequent paralysis was one of those. A devastating consequence of a frivolous pastime, it brought together some unlikely soul mates from unexpected places. It was too close to home. Russ is one of us.

In March 2003, and due to no fault or error of his, Russ Pinder crashed on the Gap descent in the Brecon Beacons – one of his favourite trails. He broke his back and now he’ll be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life – and that life might have ended on that bleak Welsh hillside if it hadn’t have been for mobile phones and helicopters.

The definition of RUSS Appeal is a charity fundraising organisation started in March 2003 immediately after Russ’s crash when he and his family asked that all donations or "whip rounds" be directed to the Air Ambulances who lifted Russ to safety.

There’s a web site www.russ-appeal.org.uk (copy and paste this, hyper-link not working!), which gives more details. Russell does not need any financial help, but the Air Ambulance do. They are entirely funded by charitable donations and we’ve decided to raise as much money as we possibly can to help. All funds raised by the Russ Appeal are distributed nationally to the Air Ambulance via the Chiltern Air Ambulance service

And remember - The Air Ambulance doesn’t just work for mountain bikers, they lift motorists from car crashes, come to the aid of walkers, in fact anybody who is injured and cannot be moved by land.

Hoping you never need the chopper, but if you do - let’s make sure it’s there!

Please give generously!

Many thanks for your support.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: The RUSS appeal will receive your money faster (via The Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust) and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.