Sparks is Goodwood Duathlon Official Charity

Sparks, the leading children’s medical research charity, will be the official charity of the Goodwood Duathlon, taking place at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, Chichester, West Sussex on Sunday 9th May 2010, and is supported by BBC TV presenter Kate Silverton.

Sparks is currently funding major research projects nationwide including Southampton University Hospital  search for ways of preventing chronic lung infections in children with cystic fibrosis, Brighton and Sussex Medical School which seeks to investigate why some children develop eczema and others do not, as well as a study with the University of Sussex to develop new therapies for meningococcal ‘blood poisoning’.

BBC TV presenter Kate Silverton, a Sparks Ambassador who has completed triathlons for the charity, said: “I’m delighted that Sparks has been chosen as the official charity of the Goodwood Duathlon.  It represents a perfect fit with the charity’s sporting heritage and dedication to raising vitally-needed funding for children’s medical research. Increasingly, partnerships with such high-profile challenge events play an important role in supporting the research projects being carried out across the UK by doctors and scientists funded by Sparks.”   Said Kevin Stewart from Mass Participation Events: “I am delighted that Goodwood Duathlon is partnering with Sparks to raise money for such important medical research, targeting those conditions that disproportionately affect children.

Every participant in the event will be able to create an online fundraising page for Sparks and we would encourage them to put their best efforts into making the event a major fundraiser for this charity, which is carrying out such important work locally.”

Another famous Sparks Ambassador Steve Williams, the double Olympic rowing gold medallist who has taken part in a number of Challenge events for the charity, added: “  Sparks’s vital work in the field of medical research for children amounts to a race to save and improve the future chances of precious young lives. The Goodwood Duathlon offers an exciting new opportunity to help win that race.”

Every day 70 babies are born in the UK with a life-threatening condition or illness – that’s 1 in every 30 babies who have a condition that affects them and their families for life. Sparks funds research across the whole spectrum of paediatric medicine, and the charity’s vision is for a world where all babies are given the best possible start in life and where a medical condition or disability at birth is not a barrier to opportunity or fulfilment.  High profile Sparks supporters include Martin Johnson CBE, Chris Hollins,  Natalie Pinkham, Sir Matthew Pinsent, Lawrence Dallaglio, Colin Montgomerie OBE, Matt Dawson, Julia Bradbury and Gabby and Kenny Logan.

A Duathlon combines a run, followed by a cycle ride, followed by a second run, and the new event is set to attract more than 1,000 runners and cyclists from all over the South East of England and farther afield.  The event is ideal for anyone wanting a fitness challenge with a difference as it offers a three month period for training, combining two complementary disciplines.  Either a ‘Classic’ distance of run 10km, bike 40km, run a final 5km, or a ‘Half’ distance of run 4km, bike 20km, run 4km can be completed by Goodwood competitors.  This makes it suitable for people with a range of fitness levels – especially as entrants can tackle the challenge as a two or three person relay team.