Home - National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Raleigh outfits the MS Bike Tour in style

It started two years ago with a former employee and his cycling team. Raleigh America supplied the bicycles for the riders, several of whom have MS, and through that sponsorship, developed a commitment to the cause.

This fall, the company expressed that commitment in a big way, designing a complete cycling ensemble for the Group Health MS Bike Tour including jersey, T-shirt, jacket, vest and hat. The apparel, including a T-shirt that was part of each cyclist’s packet, was supplied at a reduced cost by Raleigh’s clothing vendor, Verge.

As if the classy new look wasn’t enough, the bicycle company also donated four Supercourse road bikes as fundraising and raffle prizes.

At its annual meeting earlier this fall, the Chapter recognized Raleigh’s contribution by designating the company as Corporate Partner of the Year.

“What Raleigh did for us was single-handedly take on the prize structure for the MS Bike Tour,” Chapter President Patricia Shepherd-Barnes said before presenting the award to Reed Pike, Raleigh’s director of marketing.

“It was very nice to be recognized as Corporate Partner of the Year,” Reed said later. “But the real honor was working with volunteers and staff and helping to make the event a success.”

Reed said Raleigh’s increased involvement was aimed at getting even more of the cycling community involved in the scenic, two-day MS Bike Tour, which has grown in stature as it has quadrupled in size.

Among those on the course this year were the 12 riders, including Reed, in Raleigh’s own corporate team. Raleigh America is a division of Raleigh Bicycles and one of the five top bicycle companies in the United States.

The Chapter’s cycling event, Reed says, has become the Kent-based company’s largest philanthropic effort. “It’s local; it’s a bicycle ride, and it’s something that, over time, we’ve just developed a passion for,” he says.

Honoring the stand-outs of 2007
Each year, thousands of people take part in Chapter fundraising events and benefit from its programs and services. From individual cyclists or walkers to family event teams to major corporations, all do their part in an MS Movement that gets stronger and stronger every year.

At the Greater Washington Chapter’s annual meeting earlier this fall, we recognized a few of the many supporters and Chapter members who make a difference in the lives of so many. Hats off to:

BRENT CURRAN, Merriman Berkman Next MS Bike Tour Team, 2007 Distinguished Service Award
CHERYL RICHARDSON, Chapter Volunteer, 2007 MS Achievement Award
TRUDE and MICHAEL LISAGOR, Co-Visionaries for the Bainbridge Island MS Walk, 2007 Volunteers of the Year
RALEIGH AMERICA, INC., 2007 Corporate Partner of the Year
GLENNA MILLER TRAVERS, 2007 MS Walk Top Fundraiser
ALLEN OSKOUI and JEFF MERRIMAN-COHEN, 2007 MS Bike Tour Top Fundraisers

Read more MS Connection articles