The sun shone on the third LRF Glasgow Bikeathon which took place on Sunday 21 August, starting and finishing in Kelvingrove Park. Over 420 cyclists took part and more than 60 volunteers signed up to help out on the day.

Many patients and their families took part to raise sponsorship money for the new Leukaemia Research Fund Centre that will occupy an entire floor of a new building at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow, and will serve patients throughout Scotland. Loyal supporters of the event, The McGuigans entered a team of 70. Other teams included Witches of the East and West, the Dopey Pedlers and Iona's Ageing Army.

Some entrants took advantage of the good weather and stopped off at the halfway point in Clydebank to enjoy their refreshments, while others opted to keep going and complete two laps of the route, a total of 26 miles.

An amazing £45,000 of sponsorship was pledged on the day taking the campaign total to over £2.187 million bringing us ever closer to our target of £2.25million. Dr Tessa Holyoake, who will be the Director of the Centre, said "This was a really good fun event - the atmosphere was fantastic! Thank you so much to everyone who supported us on the day, volunteers as well as cyclists. Without their enthusiasm and generous sponsorship this event would not be possible."

The Development and Alumni Office would also like to thank the participants and volunteers on the day, a special mention to the many University of Glasgow students who volunteered. Thanks also to our sponsors, Thomas Tunnocks, The Playdrome in Clydebank, University of Glasgow Sport and Recreation Service and Estates and Buildings Department, Costco UK Ltd, Overton Farm Shop and Butchery, Crossford and www.5pm.co.uk.

For further information contact Events Co-ordinator Kirsty Craig 0141 330 2503 or email k.craig@admin.gla.ac.uk

Kate Richardson (K.richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk)

First published: 1 September 2005