AFC Business Target £10,000 Fundraising Total for Macmillan

The AFC Business Cycle Team is looking to break the £10,000 fundraising mark this summer when they will be taking part in the Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride.

The team, made up of local businesses, raised over £8,000 in 2011, and have now set their sights on beating last year's total.

The bike ride, which was started in 1989 and has raised almost £1 million since its creation, a milestone that the charity is hoping to pass this summer.

This year's ride will be held on Sunday 1st July and is set to be even bigger.

Members of the AFC Business team can prepare for the ride with free spinning classes at The Club in Meryick Park and can meet at weekends with the rest of the group, and choose to cycle distances between ten and one hundred miles.

With over 4,000 people diagnosed with cancer each year in Dorset the bike ride raises essential funds to help Macmillan to provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support to those who are living with cancer.

Volunteer Ride Organiser Peter Smith-Nicholls said, "The AFC Business Cycle Team made an amazing contribution to the 2011 Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride which helped us reach our £100,000 target in Macmillan's Centenary. It would be fantastic if AFC Business could raise £10,000 in 2012 and help us to exceed last year's record."

AFC Bournemouth commercial director Rob Mitchell said, "It was a tremendous effort by everyone involved to raise the money we did last year, but I'm confident we can do even better this time round.

"It's a fantastic cause and we are really proud to be able to support Macmillian and all the vital work that they do.

"The event is run and organised entirely by volunteers so that every single penny goes directly to where it is needed.

"It's a real team effort and that's what makes it so enjoyable. We're all raising money for the same cause, but we meet up and train together as well. That support is really important during training and on the day.

"I would like to thank the staff at The Club in Meyrick Park and everyone who has supported us over the last two years.

"It's more important than ever to get behind Macmillan and we are determined to raise as much as we can."

AFC Business is AFC Bournemouth's free to join business club and is made up of a partnership between AFC Bournemouth, Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce, Hill Osborne, Jaluch Ltd. and Macmillan Cancer Support.

To join the team email Rob Mitchell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01202 726 322.