Chamber president joins intrepid cyclists for start of Birmingham to Majorca challenge

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce president Nasir Awan joined a group of intrepid cyclists for the start of their gruelling 1,000-mile Birmingham to Majorca trek yesterday.

The five-strong team led by South and City College principal Mike Hopkins are taking on the nine-day cycling marathon in aid of in aid of Cure Leukaemia, the GBCC’s president’s chosen charity.

The group, from V-Sprint Club in Bromsgrove, set off from the Chamber’s 54 Hagley Road yesterday, with Mr Awan joining them for the first few miles of the route.

The cyclists will tackle up to 120 miles a day including steep mountainside pathways across the Pyrenees.

Mike is joined by his cycling club comrades Jackie Fowler, husband and wife team Lee and Lis Gardner and their daughter Olivia for the trip.

Mike has been involved with several charity rides and was part of a team which raised £1.1m for Cure Leukaemia in 2021, including former England footballer Geoff Thomas, prompting Nasir Awan to get involved with the Birmingham-based charity.

He said: “We had conversations about this with Nasir before he became President and then in the latter part of last year, gearing up for him to launch formally at the annual awards dinner.

“Nasir has an affinity with what Cure Leukaemia is doing, it’s expanding nationally but the prime focus has always been Birmingham.”

Nasir said: “I wish all the team the best of luck. I am grateful to Mike and the team for stepping forward to take up this challenge to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the charity.”

Find out more and sponsor the team online.

Pictured: Mike (second from left) and Nasir (middle) get ready to set off from outside the Chamber's HQ