ARE FORD EMPLOYEES UP FOR THE 2021 VIRTUAL CYCLE 4 A CURE CHALLENGE?

AUGUST 23, 2021

The award-winning JDRF virtual Cycle for a Cure, supported by Ford, is back again this September. It’s bigger, better and more exciting - with seven new amazing routes.

Ford has been a valued partner of JDRF since 1983, with more than 90 fundraising teams across 40 global sites. Cynthia and Edsel B. Ford II became involved in JDRF when their son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

We’re calling on a record number of Ford employees to get involved and help smash fundraising targets for JDRF. This year has been a particularly challenging year due to the pandemic as we have not been able to run our usual in person events. And whilst we have been able to run adapted virtual events, fundraising has dropped significantly.

Virtual Cycle 4
Virtual Cycle 4

Thanks to last year's efforts Ford employees raised an amazing £4,286  which contributed directly to the fantastic progress that JDRF are making.

Just last week, the NHS announced a trial to support the wider roll-out of the JDRF funded artificial pancreas technology across England (Read more about this here: https://jdrf.org.uk/news/worlds-first-artificial-pancreas-app-licensed-for-people-with-type-1-diabetes-in-the-uk). This technology enables an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor to ‘talk’ to one another and deliver insulin automatically. This equipment has the power to change lives. Instead of relying on 24/7 monitoring, multiple readings and countless injections, insulin is delivered automatically when needed. This breakthrough could not have happened without your support. We must keep the momentum going so we can make the next breakthrough and ultimately find a cure.

So, select your distance, grease up your chain and take to the roads in your local area or jump on a turbo trainer or watt bike and clock up the kilometres to help us cycle towards a cure for type 1 diabetes.

There are routes to suit all abilities or why not compete against each other to see who can clock up the most kms? In a time when wellbeing is more important than ever, this challenge is the perfect opportunity to get fit and enjoy the great outdoors.

Don’t just take our word for it! – Two of our Ford Employees tell us about their experience in taking part in the event.

“I started supporting the JDRF cycle for a Cure in 2019 when I helped to set up the first UK event at Dunton.  It is always great to support a charity and being a keen cyclist - I can't think of a better way to raise sponsorship than whilst riding my bike!  The event is friendly, fun and most of all open to cyclists of all abilities wanting to do their bit for this great cause.”

Andrew Walden - Senior Engineer in Commercial Vehicle SVE

 

“The opportunity for me to work with JDRF came when the Cycle for a Cure event was just a concept, but even then I could tell it would be a great event to be involved with!

In 2019, as a joint Ford-JDRF team we delivered our first physical UK Cycle for a Cure event and my initial thoughts were not wrong. It was such a fun and engaging event with a great atmosphere for all the family. The Ford-JDRF relationship goes back many years and Ford Globally has raised a phenomenal amount to aid research into a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

Now, for me to be part of that relationship and to be able to help contribute further to the fundraising efforts through my involvement with the Cycle for a Cure event is truly a privilege.”

Dave Gwilliams – Ford Internal Communications

Virtual Cycle 4

3 SIMPLE STEPS TO SIGN UP:

Step 1: Pick your route

Step 2: Complete your distance between August 28th and September 30th 2021

Step 3: Raise funds and help us continue to support people affected by type 1 diabetes

●     Virtual Dunton Test Track 2.7km route

●     Virtual 50km route

●     Virtual 100km route

●     Virtual 260km route - Coast 2 Coast UK (St Bees to Robin Hood bay)

●     Virtual 500km route - London to Paris

●     Virtual 1400km route - Lands End to John O’Groats

●     Virtual Everesting Challenge - Climb 8,848 meters on your bike

Sign up now

FEATURED ARTICLES