Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce’s Charity of the Year, the UK Sepsis Trust (UKST) will be hosting a sponsored cycling event in The Gracechurch Centre to mark World Sepsis Day on Tuesday 13 September.

The cycling challenge will be part of Cycle 4 Sepsis, UKST’s flagship fundraising event that runs every September.

With 2022 marking 20 years since the charity was founded by Dr Ron Daniels, an Intensive Care specialist at Good Hope Hospital, the event will have a ’10’ theme running throughout.

This will see 10 static bikes being hosted in the space near to House of Fraser throughout the day.

UKST are looking for at least 10 businesses to each get five or 10 staff throughout the day to do an hour of cycling.

Businesses who don’t have 10 staff can be put together with other smaller teams to make up a team.

Brian Davies, fundraising manager at UKST, said: “We are delighted at being able to run an exciting fundraising event in the heart of Sutton Coldfield, a stone’s throw away from where the charity was founded 10-years ago.

“Being able to tie together a Cycle 4 Sepsis event, on World Sepsis Day in the town that has been so instrumental in fighting the global fight against sepsis is a fantastic opportunity to raise vital awareness and much needed funds.

“A huge thank you to The Gracechurch Centre and Sutton Coldfield BID for being so supportive and accommodating, and to The Gym Group, Sutton Coldfield for proving the bikes for the event.”

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce president, Phil Arkinstall is also a supporter of UKST and completed the 100-mile Ride London course alongside Brian and other Sutton Coldfield businesses to raise money for the charity.

He said: “We have been supporting UKST for several years and it is fantastic that they will be hosting such a high-profile event in Sutton Coldfield.

“Me and my team at Ark Media will be donning our lycra for a stint on the bikes, and I urge other local businesses to do the same for an excellent cause.

“We’d like the day to raise £10,000 for UKST, as well as raising valuable awareness of the danger of sepsis, and help people to better understand the symptoms.”

As well as Ark Media and teams of riders from UKST and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, staff from Henwood Court Financial Planning, BMET College, 3D Facilities Support, WAA Chosen, PLOTT Creative, X2 Workspaces and Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School have  expressed an interest.

Anyone affected by sepsis can seek support from UKST’s qualified nurses, with further details available online.

Any businesses interested in providing riders or in sponsoring the event should contact Brian.Davies@sepsistrust.org for further details.