02 Jul Businesses team up to raise money for genetic disease research
Two business at Colney Fields Shopping Park have teamed up to host a charity virtual bike ride from their stores to Great Ormond Street hospital.
Specsavers and Pure Gym have set out to raise money for CDG UK, a national charity supporting those affected by Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation.
CDG is a rare genetic group of conditions that affect the body’s ability to attach sugar molecules to proteins throughout the body effectively.
These extremely rare and complex genetic, metabolic diseases can affect all parts of the body, including the brain.
The team of optical and hearing professionals were approached by Specsavers customers, yoga and wellbeing expert Elle Daniel, her husband Steve and their daughter, Ruby, who lives with the metabolic condition.
Elle and Steve said: “In January of this year Ruby was diagnosed with CDG. She has had a difficult start with lots of hospitalisations, but she is a remarkably strong girl and amazes us with the strength she shows every day. There is no cure for CDG yet, but with raised awareness, we can help to find research into cures and life-changing treatments for children like Ruby.”
Staff from these businesses, along with help from any residents walking around Colney Fields Shopping Park, will be jumping on stationary bikes to ride the equivalent distance from the shopping park to Great Ormond Street Hospital, one of the charity’s main institutions of research.
Each business will a play vital part making this dream a reality. The London Colney Pure Gym supplied the bikes which will be used for the ride, placing them on both sides of the shopping park, while the local Specsavers team will be the main riders on the day.
The team at Specsavers is inviting other local businesses and residents to take part in the fundraiser by jumping on a bike for a few minutes if you can spare a few.
There will also be buckets located across the park and in both the Pure Gym and Sainsbury’s store to make donations during the week.
Speaking ahead of the bike ride, store trainer and organiser of the fundraiser, Philippa Akester said: “We are so honoured to have the local gym help support us in raising money for CDG UK.
“Hearing about Ruby and her life with this condition has been so inspiring, and riding from London Colney to Great Ormond’s Street is the least we can do to support them.
“Make sure you come down to cheer your very own local businesses on as we ride for Ruby this July.”
To make a donation and show support, simply visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/philippa-akester-1718821271258 or go along to the store in London Colney Sainsburys or Pure Gym located on the opposite side of the site,
