- Exhibition race for Macmillan Cancer Support at Aviva London Grand Prix
Four legendary British athletes will be going back to the track at Crystal Palace on Saturday 25 July to raise awareness and funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. The one-off exhibition race, comprising four teams made up of athletics legends, Macmillan supporters and Aviva staff, will provide an exciting addition to the line up at the Aviva London Grand Prix, Britain’s showpiece athletics event. Confirmed athletes include Olympic gold medallist Jason Gardener, Olympic silver medallist Iwan Thomas and British sprinting legend John Regis.
As part of this special day, Aviva, the team behind UK Athletics for over a decade, is offering members of the public the opportunity to race alongside these legends. Sporting enthusiasts can be in with a chance of competing in one of the four 4x100m relay teams by entering the competition at www.macmillan.org.uk/crystalpalace.
Aviva has dedicated Saturday 25 July to Macmillan. Activity on the day will include donated branding space at the event, children supporters acting as kit carriers, fundraising teams collecting donations (with matched funding from Aviva) and Macmillan’s Mobile Information Centre on site to provide information and support to anyone at the event that has questions or concerns about any aspect of cancer.
Aviva is partnering with Macmillan Cancer Support at the Aviva London Grand Prix to help raise valuable funds and awareness of the breadth of services that Macmillan provides to people affected by cancer as well as their family and carers. Aviva has backed Macmillan Cancer Support for a number of years through their staff payroll "Pennies from Heaven" scheme, and is excited be hosting this event to raise even more valuable funds and awareness to help Macmillan improve the lives of people affected by cancer.
Over two million people are living with cancer in the UK and it is Macmillan’s ambition to reach everyone affected by providing essential information, expert medical care, emotional support and financial help.
A Macmillan Cancer Support pledge wall will also be on site, inviting ticket holders and athletes to dedicate races or events to someone close to them affected by cancer. For those who would prefer to watch the action rather than take part, donations are welcome at www.justgiving.com/macmillan.
-ends-
Media contacts:
Ben Goldhagen
Telephone: 0784 102 7002
E-mail: bgoldhagen@hillandknowlton.com
Penny Brogan
Telephone: 07800 692 037
E-mail: penny.brogan@aviva.co.uk
Rachel Bloodworth
Telephone: 020 7840 4993 / 07801 307068
E-mail: rbloodworth@macmillan.org.uk
Notes to editor:
About the Aviva London Grand Prix
Tickets for the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace, London on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online at www.uka.org.uk.
About Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. If you are affected by cancer Macmillan can help.
For more information about Macmillan Cancer Support, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or freephone 0800 500 800 for an information pack.
About Aviva
Aviva has been the team behind UK Athletics since 1999 and is committed to developing the sport at every level from the playground to the podium.
This year we’ll have put on six world class athletics events on home soil and supported the Aviva GB & NI Team as they prepare for major championships. Through the Aviva UKA Academy it is anticipated that by 2012, we’ll have given every child in the UK the opportunity to get involved in athletics.
Aviva is the world’s fifth largest* insurance group, serving 50 million customers across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
We are the largest insurance services provider in the UK and one of the leading providers of life and pension products in Europe.
The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a news release archive.
For more information on our athletics sponsorship visit www.aviva.co.uk/athletics