On Sunday 29th September I took part in the Cambridge-Norwich Charity Bike Ride to raise money for three local Norfolk charities doing vital work in healthcare and medical research – and to raise awareness of the importance of medical research charities. I was honoured by the way people responded, and am very pleased to report that I raised over £1,000. Thank you to all who generously donated to the three charities.

Extraordinary breakthroughs in medical science – driven by a huge number of medical charities from the Wellcome Trust to the smallest local patient support groups - are continuing to transform our life prospects, helping us live longer and more active lives. Patient involvement in medical research is transforming medicine.

Our region is in the forefront of this revolution – with our world class medical research in Cambridge and Norwich Research Parks, and a rapidly ageing society.

As well supporting the official charity of the race, the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, I supported three further charities:

• Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope (ELOH) – set up after the tragic death of South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon’s mother in law Elizabeth Panton


• The Big C – Norfolk’s biggest charity raising millions for cancer


• The Norfolk Bone and Joint Appeal – helping research into the diseases of the bone which blight the lives of so many of our elderly.