Batman, Robin and Superman will be teaming up to save lives at the annual Glasgow Bikeathon on 20 August 2006. The sponsored cycle, organised by the University of Glasgow and Leukaemia Research, will raise money for a new Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre to be based at Gartnavel Hospital.

Cancer survivor Greg Ternent, who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in 2004, will be cycling 26 miles round Glasgow's West End dressed as Batman alongside seven other superheroes including side-kick Robin and Superman.

Greg, 40, from Coatbridge, said: "There are eight of us taking part in this year's Bikeathon and we thought it would make it especially fun if we dressed up as superheroes. My wife is going as Robin and my brother is going as Superman.

"My brother was the donor for my stem cell transplant during my treatment, so you could say Superman saved Batman's life.

"I have now fully recovered from my leukaemia and am back to running my own business but it is important that people get involved in fun events like the Bikeathon to raise funds for research that will help others who are still suffering from this terrible illness."

As part of the on-going fundraising campaign the Glasgow Bikeathon is a fun family event where participants can cycle either 13 or 26 miles over a stewarded route, starting and finishing in Kelvingrove Park in the west end of Glasgow.

The deadline for entry to the Bikeathon is 15 August but entries on the day will be accepted. The entry fee is £7.50 for adults, and £3 for children. Children must be over seven years old to take part, and all under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. All entrants receive a t-shirt in their entry pack, refreshments on the day and a commemorative medal at the finish line. The start time will be 10am this year.

Applications can be made online at www.glasgowbikeathon.co.uk or an entry form can be ordered by phoning the University of Glasgow Development and Alumni Office on 0141 330 4951 or e-mailing Angela Hair at a.hair@admin.gla.ac.uk

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

For more information please contact the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3683 or email K.richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 1 August 2006