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City leader gets on his bike for Nottingham

Councillor Collins will be aiming to raise money for charity, and also help Team Nottingham generate substantial interest in the City during the world's biggest property investment show, le marche international des professionnels de l'imobilier (MIPIM).



The momentous ride will be split into two sections, Nottingham to Greenwich and Greenwich to Cannes. Setting off from Nottingham's Old Market Square at 10.30am, Councillor Collins will be joined on the first leg by nine other riders to form 'Team Invest in Nottingham'. These include the Council's Head of Urban Design Nigel Turpin (who will complete the entire journey to Cannes) and Nottingham-born Olympic and World Cycling medallist Bryan Steel. The team will be pedalling in aid of cancer support charity Maggie's, and in particular for its appeal to raise £3million to open a centre in Nottingham.

Councillor Collins and Mr Turpin will then join other riders on a six-day, 1000 mile Cycle to Cannes charity challenge, which ends with cyclists from more than 65 British teams arriving at MIPIM's opening ceremony to be hosted outside the Palais des Festivals on Tuesday 16 March. Bikes and accessories such as helmets, spare parts and nutrition for the 1000 mile journey will be supplied by Nottingham bike maker Raleigh, who will also provide a fitting stage for the launch on the Market Square on Tuesday.

From his Nottingham training camp, Councillor Collins stated: 'We are aiming to raise enough money to enable the building project for the new Maggie's Centre to get under way. The centre will be built at the Nottingham City Hospital Campus to help people diagnosed with cancer, and with around 4,000 local people a year diagnosed with the disease it will provide an invaluable support service.'

The UK section of the ride will be sponsored by Nottingham law firm Geldards. David Standard, Director of Marketing at Geldards and son of local cycling legend Sid Standard, said: 'This is truly a momentous challenge for both riders and I wish them the very best of luck not only for the UK sections, but the whole 1,000 miles.'

A former captain of the Great Britain Cycling team, David explains what lies ahead of the riders: 'As well as the demands made upon them physically from riding day after day, it will also be a mental challenge, especially as the French hills start to rise up in front of them. However, I do have a feeling that both Jon and Nigel have put the training in which will see them arrive in Cannes on time and in good shape.'

Gary Mather, Sales and Marketing Director at DiscoverCycling.com, which is providing technical support to the riders, said: 'The key thing for the riders, especially those going all the way to Cannes, will be that they have the right kit to see them through the journey, both in terms of their bikes and clothing. With so many hours in the saddle, it is essential that they are properly equipped. So many people miss out on the joys of cycling through having the wrong equipment. Cycling is a wonderful sport and I'm confident that the majority of miles will be enjoyable.'

The riders will not only raise vital cash for Maggie's and the nominated charities for the Cycle to Cannes challenge, but they will be flying the flag for Nottingham at MIPIM. Councillor Collins explains: 'The aim of getting on our bikes is not just to raise cash for these worthy charities but as representatives of Nottingham it gives us the opportunity to help raise the profile of the City as a primary investment location.'

MIPIM, which attracts key players from the property sector, is now firmly established as a pivotal point in the industry's calendar. It provides an opportunity for public and private sector organisations operating in Nottingham to promote themselves internationally under the City's banner.

Help is available for local companies wanting to make the most of attending MIPIM in the shape of Team Nottingham, which offers ongoing support in the run up to and during the four-day international property fair to assess events and arrange meetings with exhibitors and other visitors from end users to investors and local governments to international corporations.

Team Nottingham's main objectives will be to promote six premium city sites which will become available when Nottingham City Council relocates all of its departments to Loxley House, as well as five major schemes currently under development or in planning stages in Nottingham's new business district, Southside.

Anyone wanting to join the riders between Nottingham and Greenwich or sponsor the Team Invest in Nottingham ride, can do so via
www.bmycharity.com/V2/teamInvestinNottingham.

Organisations and companies that make up Team Nottingham include: Invest in Nottingham; Gleeds; BCS Public Relations; Nottingham Regeneration Limited; Nottingham City Council; Innes England; Maber Architects; Miller Birch; Morgan Tucker; Rizk McCay; and Stirland Patterson.

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