UM Trading’s Andrew Creasey took part in the Ford RideLondon-Essex 100 to raise vital funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Andrew participated in the annual cycle ride with his friend David Bennett, finishing in a time of 6 hours 29 minutes.

It was the third time Andrew, a trader with UM Trading, had taken part in the RideLondon-Essex 100 having previously raised funds for The Seafarers Charity and Prostate Cancer UK.

The spectacular event, held at the end of May, sees cyclists of all backgrounds and abilities cover up to 100 miles on traffic-free roads through the heart of London and neighbouring Essex.

Andrew and David raised £2,434 on JustGiving with UM’s holding company W&R Barnett contributing an additional £967 to take the overall amount raised to £3,401.

Andrew decided to make the MNDA his nominated charity this year having followed the inspiring story of Rob Burrow, the former Leeds Rhinos, Great Britain and England rugby star who has been battling the condition for four years.

Andrew said: “I was a student at Leeds University in the mid-2000s and was lucky enough to watch Rob play over a dozen times for his club or internationally at the Headingley Stadium.

“More recently, like millions of others, I have been moved by the various news programmes and documentaries covering Rob’s fight against MND and the amazing work he and others have done to increase awareness of the condition.

“This was a massive motivator for me to choose to raise money for the MNDA by taking part in this year’s RideLondon-Essex 100.”

Those taking part in the Ford RideLondon-Essex can choose to ride the distance that best suits them including 30, 60 or 100 miles.

More than 20,000 riders entered this year’s event which has been dubbed ‘the London Marathon on wheels’.

Since RideLondon began in 2013 as a legacy event from the London 2012 Olympic Games, it has become the world’s greatest festival of cycling, taking place on traffic-free roads in London and, since 2022, Essex.

Andrew, who lives in Epsom and regularly rides out into the Surrey Hills with a local cycling club, said: “I have been cycling for the last seven or eight years including once a week with my cycling club. David couldn’t train as much having become a father a few months ago, but we were still pleased with our finishing time.

“One of the great things about RideLondon-Essex is that it is a closed roads event which means lots of people come out and support you as you go through the various villages on the route. There is lots of cheering and clapping and plenty of BBQs at the end of people’s drives.

“I’m also delighted that W&R Barnett was able to provide match-funding, thereby enabling us to increase the total funds for the MNDA. One of the great things about W&R Barnett is its commitment to charity and community. It is a real focus and one of its core principles.”

The MND Association focuses on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For more information about the charity visit https://www.mndassociation.org/