Bennetts-backed Toseland raises 5,500 for Riders

A James Toseland charity cycle ride in association with Bennetts, the UK’s number one for bike insurance* has raised more than £5,500 for MotoGP’s official charity - Riders for Health. Fifty-two members of the public – who each paid £52 to take part – completed two laps of Donington Park’s circuit on Thursday 19 June at the 2008 Day of Champions.

Many of the cyclists also raised further sponsorship for the motorcycling charity and James Toseland supporters who were unable to take part donated generously via www.justgiving.com/bennettscharitycycleride. The fundraising page will remain open for further secure donations until 19 August.

Riders for Health trains African health workers in motorcycle riding and maintenance, enabling them to reach remote villages with the kind of regular, reliable health care the developed world takes for granted. Across Africa, Riders is working with ministries of health and smaller, community based organisations, making sure they have vehicles that never break down, no matter how harsh the conditions. Riders has programmes in the Gambia, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Kenya, and is reaching over 10 million people.

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider – who completed the laps just three days before his first ever British GP – was also supported by Pinarello riders Russ Downing and Malcolm Alliot. James used the Pinarello Prince cycle given to him by Bennetts to help with training and learning the MotoGP tracks.

“I’m amazed that we’ve managed to raise so much money for Riders for Health and I’d like to thanks everybody who supported us in any way,” says James. “I was convinced that nobody would pay £52 to cycle with me, so it’s incredible that we filled all 52 places and raised the same amount again in sponsorship. The work Riders for Health does is admirable and I’m proud that, with Bennetts’ support, I’ve been able to help.”

Bennetts’ Marketing Director Mark Fells also accompanied Toseland, “What an experience! You get a totally different perspective of the track by riding round and it helps give a feel for exactly how fit James and his racing rivals are to go out there and complete 30 laps on much more powerful machinery. As James’s personal sponsor, we already know how hard he works off track, but I can now also appreciate what a true athlete he is. As the UK’s number one for bike insurance*, we wish him the best of luck for this weekend as the UK’s number one rider.”

*Based on brand tracking research in April 2008.