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On 5 September 2018, record breaking long distance cyclist Mark Beaumont will lead a group of 127 riders, from London to Paris over the course of 4 days to raise funds for Myeloma UK.

Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is a blood cancer arising from plasma cells. At any one time there are around 17,500 people living with myeloma in the UK. It accounts for 15 per cent of blood cancers, and two per cent of all cancers. Myeloma mainly affects those over the age of 65, however it has been diagnosed in people as young as 20. Whilst there is currently no cure for Myeloma it is treatable.

Mark Beaumont caught the cycling bug at age 11 when he rode across Scotland. 12 years later he rose to fame by breaking the World Record for the fastest time completing an 18,000 mile round-the-world bike race. In 2017 Mark beat his previous record and re-gained the Guinness World Record for the "fastest circumnavigation by bicycle", in less than 80 days. Mark has recently released a book sharing his experiences of his world record titled 'Around the World in 80 days'.

Mark joined the first Myeloma UK London Paris Ride in 2016 as Ride Ambassador, cycling 500km over four days with 125 participants. It was an experience that Mark describes as, "Incredibly inspiring with memories that will last a lifetime. This was the first time I've taken part in a multi-day charity ride. The support provided by the crew and the camaraderie between the participants was brilliant."

Mark supports Myeloma UK because he lost close friend, David Peat, to myeloma. Since learning about the blood cancer Mark has become a passionate advocate for research and patient support. "It's not a cancer that I knew anything about until David was diagnosed. He was a very dear friend of mine and we were incredibly close. I learnt a lot about myeloma though his journey." 

Speaking about his experience as Ride Ambassador, Mark said "everyone on the ride had a connection to myeloma. There were patients - which in itself is inspirational - and their family and friends, doctors and researchers, all of whom were rallied around a common goal. The atmosphere was fantastic, I'll never forget it."

The World record-breaking cyclist is continuing as our Ride Ambassador for 2018, saying, "I am proud to have supported the Myeloma UK London Paris Ride since the very start. There's a sense of positivity in everyone's ability to make a difference - to help make myeloma history."

"Riding to Paris has a special meaning for me not just as a fan of the Tour de France, but it's where I pedalled back to after 78 days and 14 hours of pedalling around the world. I can't wait to join the riders in September as they take on this amazing challenge."

For more information, please visit: https://ride.myeloma.org.uk/mark-beaumont/