The event is an annual nine-day, 960 mile bike ride between Land's End and John O'Groats and is currently on target to raise £1 million ($1.5 million/€1.2 million) for the British Paralympic Association (BPA) by 2013.

This is the third Deloitte Ride Across Britain, which for the first time this year will start in Land's End and finish north at John O'Groats.

BPA use the money raised from the event in a variety of ways to support ParalympicsGB in the lead up to and during the Games.

This includes providing the optimal preparation environment and ensuring vital medical support for the atheletes is in place.

"I was delighted when Deloitte asked me to attend their Deloitte Ride Across Britain fundraising launch," said Stephens, who is being widely tipped for gold at the London 2012 Paralympics.

"In Beijing, I experienced first hand the support that ParalympicsGB provide to athletes and without them we wouldn't be able to focus solely on our competitions and put in our best performances when it matters most.

"The support of the fundraising through Deloitte Ride Across Britain means ParalympicsGB is able to provide the best possible preparations for the biggest competition in a Paralympian's career, which going into a home Games is a huge reassurance."


Some of the British Para-Cycling team, including Paralympic champion Sarah Storey (pictured above left), have used Deloitte Ride Across Britain to train for the 2012 Games.

Some 700 riders take part in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain every year, including over 100 Deloitte employees and members of the firm's leadership team.

"We want to offer thanks to Nathan for taking time out of his busy training schedule to come and help us launch the 2012 Deloitte Ride Across Britain," said David Sproul, the senior partner and chief executive of Deloitte.

"We have been supporters of the BPA for many years now, and our target of raising £1 million ($1.5 million/€1.2 million) is well within our sight.

"It is a significant amount of money to raise for disabled athletes competing at the very highest level.

"With a home Games, ParalympicsGB has a once in a lifetime opportunity to change perceptions towards disability, inspire more people to get into sport, and deliver a lasting legacy for disability sport in this country."


Deloitte, through its Disability Sport programme, supports all levels of sport for disabled people, from grassroots level with Deloitte Parasport to the development of talented disabled athletes with Deloitte Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme.

With its support now extending to the elite end of the spectrum with Deloitte Ride Across Britain, Deloitte hopes its support for disabled athletes will not only be beneficial to those competing in the 2012 Games, but will also benefit new and upcoming athletes that have their sights set on Sochi and Rio.

"The support that Deloitte Ride Across Britain has given us over the past two years has been incredible, and is helping us to ensure we are providing British athletes with the best possible preparations ahead of the home Games," said BPA chief executive Tim Hollingsworth.

"Importantly, the momentum that London creates means the start of a new era for the BPA and for Paralympic sport in the UK, and the funds being raised this year will help to ensure that the athletes going to Sochi, Rio and beyond receive the same level of support.

"Thank you to all the riders who are getting behind the BPA and ParalympicsGB this year; you are truly part of our team."

This year's event runs from September 8 to 16.

Find out more about the event here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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