This event is now past.
Coming from as far as Newcastle, the group is meeting local communities, sports and cycle clubs in Centenary Square, Birmingham, for a short ride led by children. Finishing back in Centenary Square, RCPCH President Dr Camilla Kingdon will give a brief address about the impact of air pollution on child health and the importance of health professional advocacy in tackling this.
Ride for their Lives is an international collaboration of healthcare providers riding together to explore the actions to take to protect the planet for their patients and children. Through their days of cycling, they build hope, develop resilience, celebrate success, and spark constructive conversation.
Dr Helena Clements, RCPCH Officer for Climate Change said:
I am really looking forward to the Ride for their Lives cycle ahead of conference and will be bringing my bike to get involved in the short ride on Sunday afternoon. Ride for their Lives do such a fantastic job at creating conversations about climate change and air pollution and this cycle led by children going to be one of their biggest events yet.
At the end of 2023, I was able to attend a roundtable where Camilla spoke so passionately about how often children already experiencing inequalities are most likely to be impacted poor air quality and impacts from the changing climate. It is inspiring to see Camilla speak on this topic and I look forward to her address at the event. Clean air is real priority for the College over the next 2 years and this event is a great starting point.
If you are planning to come down to Birmingham on the Sunday - come along a little earlier and come and see us in Centenary Square. Finally, I want to thank College member Mandy Goldstein and her husband Ewan Hamnett for all their hard work to make this event possible.
RCPCH have been supporting Ride for their Lives since it started in 2021 – watch the video from our ride in 2022 and explore previous rides we have got involved in.
How to get involved:
- If you would like to see where other delegates are cycling from to get to the conference (Newcastle is the furthest so far) and/or get support on doing so yourself, go to the Ride for their Lives website for advice.
- If you would like to take part in led bike rides of 2-3 hours on the morning of Sunday 24 March – either exploring the beautiful countryside around Birmingham or an urban tour - contact ewanhamnett@doctors.org.uk. Rides of different speed and skill level will be available, please contact Ewan to discuss.
- If you would like to participate in a 30-minute cycling demonstration coordinated by Kidical Mass, cyclists should assemble along Grosvenor Street West from 2pm to commence riding at 2.30. This is only 400 metres from where the ride will finish. From here we ride a short loop led by children finishing in Centenary Square at 3.00pm where there will be a brief address from Camilla Kingdon, the President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
- If you don't want to cycle at all but want to support us to lobby for improved air quality for all children living in our cities and towns, join us at 3pm in Centenary Square to hear Camilla's address and meet other people passionate about taking action.