In June 2026, I’ll be marking a milestone birthday — my 40th — in a way that’s very different from cake and candles. Along with friends and colleagues, I’ll be cycling from Leicester to Leeds over 3 days (Friday 19 June – Sunday 21 June 2026) to raise vital funds for the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), one of the world’s leading centres for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research.

This ride is also about remembering my dad, who we sadly lost to MND in 2023 — less than nine weeks after his diagnosis. Dad was a publican all his life, and for 8 years we ran the Sir Robert Peel in Leicester, right beside the hospital. The pub became a place of comfort for patients, medics, and families alike. It was too late to help him, but it is not too late to find a cure.

I now work as the Research and Innovation Project Manager at University Hospitals of Leicester, helping to deliver and support clinical studies that bring better treatments to patients. Taking on this challenge is both personal and professional — honouring my dad while raising funds to support research that offers hope to others.

The ride will also raise awareness for the Leeds MND Care Centre, which provides vital support for families. Our finish line in Leeds will coincide with World MND Day, when the global community unites to push for progress.

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The Challenge

We’ll be riding in three stages:

• Day 1 – Fri 19 June 2026: Leicester → Nottingham (~30 miles, flat and accessible)

• Day 2 – Sat 20 June 2026: Nottingham → Sheffield (~40 miles, hilly)

• Day 3 – Sun 21 June 2026: Sheffield → Leeds (~35 miles, rolling hills)

Some riders will join for a day, others will tackle all three stages. Together, we’ll cover 100+ miles — not just as cyclists, but as a community riding for change.

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Why It Matters

MND is a cruel, fast-progressing disease with no cure yet. Your support helps SITraN’s world-class scientists accelerate research into treatments and, one day, a cure.

Every donation — big or small — makes a difference. And if you’re a UK taxpayer, please tick Gift Aid so the charity can claim an extra 25% at no cost to you.

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How You Can Help

• Donate today to support MND research.

• Share our story to raise awareness.

• Ride with us! And https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cycle-for-mnd-leicester-leeds-2026-tickets-1681309886129?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Contact (Riders, PR & Sponsors)

For rider interest, media/PR enquiries, community partnerships, or corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact:

Louise Rossiter — Event Organiser & Research and Innovation Project Manager, University Hospitals of Leicester

📧 louise.rossiter1@gmail.com

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🙏 Thank you for helping me celebrate my 40th in the most meaningful way I can — by remembering my dad, raising awareness, and riding towards a future without MND.