Grizzlys Arrive At Edgbaston As Part Of Fundraising Ride

Surrey Cricket Manager Chris Adams and his brother David, completed the sixth leg of their fundraising challenge ahead of schedule today, arriving at Edgbaston early this afternoon.

The Big Cricket Ride, which is a punishing cricket-themed cycling challenge, began at Durham CCC's ground The Riverside on Friday 7 October. Chris and David are aiming to cycle to all 18 county cricket grounds on a gruelling 868-mile tour to support the Leukaemia & lymphoma charity’s life-saving research.

As the boys determination continues, they will embark on the seventh leg of their tour tomorrow at 9am with Warwickshire's own Darren Maddy hoping to arrive with them at Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

A host of other cricketing stars including Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, Darren Gough, Paul Nixon and Alan Lamb have pledged to saddle up for individual legs of the ride which has been inspired by Chris and David’s father John Adams and his battle with lymphoma.

John, 71, was diagnosed with Peripheral T-cell lymphoma in June 2010 after undergoing an operation for a ruptured bowel. Thankfully, following chemotherapy at Southend Cancer Hospital, John is recovering well and plans to join his sons on their journey in support vehicles generously provided by ride sponsor Kia.

David Adams, who played for Derbyshire, Gloucestershire and Norfolk, said: "Hearing someone you care about has cancer hits you like a sledge hammer. I was actually out on my bike at the time in the middle of the Peak District – that’s why I wanted to make cycling part of our fundraising."

Surrey CCC Cricket Manager and former England batsman, Chris Adams, said: "Since the end of my career I’ve wanted to do something major for a good cause and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research became very pertinent after my Dad fell ill with lymphoma. We were after a challenge and we’ve got it! If we can get round on the bikes and raise money and awareness, it’ll all be worth it."

The charity has £1 million invested in groundbreaking research into developing more effective treatments for Peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Every penny raised from the Big Cricket Ride will support research into this specific disease.

Cycle route Itinerary

Day 1 Durham CCC to Yorkshire CCC

Day 2 Yorkshire CCC to Lancashire CCC

Day 3 Lancashire CCC to Derbyshire CCC

Day 4 Derbyshire CCC to Nottinghamshire CCC to Leicestershire CCC

Day 5 Leicestershire CCC to Northamptonshire CCC

Day 6 Northamptonshire CCC to Warwickshire CCC

Day 7 Warwickshire CCC to Worcestershire CCC

Day 8 Worcestershire CCC to Glamorgan CCC

Day 9 Glamorgan CCC to Gloucestershire CCC

Day 10 Gloucestershire CCC to Somerset CCC

Day 11 Somerset CCC to Hampshire CCC

Day 12 Hampshire CCC to Sussex CCC

Day 13 Sussex CCC to Kent CCC

Day 14 Kent CCC to Essex CCC

Day 15 Essex CCC to Middlesex to Surrey CCC

You can support Chris and David by visiting: http://www.justgiving.com/bigcricketride