Thank you for visiting the Tour De Simplyhealth fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor us online. All monies raised will be donated to Help the Hospices, a national charity that helps support and fund over 200 hospices to ensure the best possible care is provided to those affected by a terminal illness.

The Tour De Simplyhealth is a 366 mile charity bike ride starting on 1st July 2008 in Leeds and finishing on 5th July in Bournemouth at the Being The Difference Ball, going via Manchester, Bristol, Reading and Andover.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Help the Hospices will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor us now!

Many thanks for your support.

Detailed below is a description of each of the riders:

James Glover

I am just the right side of 40 and based in Manchester. I look after Simplyhealth's HealthSure brand.  Being a hardened Northerner (!) and resident of the Peak district, I get lots of practice on some big hills and regularly commute the 32 miles home by bike. I have only been cycling seriously for a couple of years but in that time I have cycled to Paris twice for charity and completed numerous cycling sportives including the Etape Du Tour and the Dragon Ride.

Robert Gladstone

I am 33 years old and am based in Andover. I work within Internal Audit. I have been cycling for 2 years and have taken part in a number of cycling sportives. Each year I find myself wanting a tougher cycling challenge. So here I am, preparing to take on this big charity ride. As part of my training I regularly cycle to work and back home (75 miles round trip!) as well as doing some training in Yorkshire and the Peak District.

Jane Buxton

I'm 21 (and a fair bit) and based in Andover. I work in Learning and Development, looking after the Group Skills Team. I love being outdoors and can't resist a sporting challenge; previously I've completed in rowing events, triathlon, marathons and last year the London to Paris bike ride.

Mike Riley

Age withheld in case Health and Safety stop me from riding! My first year at Simplyhealth has been in Andover looking after the Group IT Development team. I cycled lots as a kid and then not much at all until I started riding to work at the end of 2006. Since then I have enjoyed participating in a few organised events, but mostly ride with friends for fun. The charity ride will be a huge demand for me. I am sure that colleagues and the knowledge that it is all in a good cause will spur me on to the 'Summer Ball'.

Bernie Hurn

I am 39 years old and head up Research and Strategy for the Group. I have recently taken up serious cycling following a back injury and it is fair to say the bug has bitten. I intend not only to take part in the charity ride but also complete a number of sportive events during the year. As part of my training I now regularly commute to work and back; a glorious early morning ride but more challenging with the afternoon rush hour traffic along the A30 to Camberley.

Luke Yoell

The big 30 is looming… I am currently based in Bristol as part of the HR team. I "emigrated" from Sussex to Bristol to study at the University of the West of England, but the real motive for my move was easy access to the north Cornish coast and the Welsh mountains. My desire for adrenaline is usually fulfilled through my passions for mountaineering, sailing and surfing, but equally, I find taking up a new challenge always motivational. Having previously undertaken a number of mountain endurance challenges, this is my first cycle challenge-so I am keen to complete the ride in one piece! I just need to get some cycling legs…

Gary Billington

I am 27 years old working within the sales department of the HealthSure group within Simplyhealth. I am a bit of a fitness junkie, who loves most sports and spending too many hours in the gym. I am a keen mountain biker who spends full days cycling up and down off road trails and eating mud (not the best bit), so cycling on a road should be a new experience for me.

Simon Inman