Race Across America - Ruck & Rollers

Two teams taking on this challenge, with one goal. To raise funds for Asthma UK.

On 20th June, two teams of eight riders (including 8 International Rugby players) going by the name of 'The Ruck and Rollers' are taking on the world's most gruelling cycling challenge: The Race Across America (RAAM).

The race covers 3,000 miles, crossing twelve US states and make no mistake; this isn’t your regular charity ‘fun ride’. The team is aiming to complete the entire race in just seven days. It’s frankly an incredibly difficult challenge but the team are all motivated by one story. 

John Hall formed the teams after his close friend Jeff Thomas, a local Corsham businessman tragically lost his daughter Antonia when she was just 10 years old to Asthma in October 2009. Antonia was a bright, funny, beautiful, energetic young girl who had been diagnosed with mild asthma, yet died from an attack in under 10 minutes.  The two teams are undertaking the challenge to raise awareness and much needed research funds for Asthma UK and most importantly continue to honour Antionia’s legacy.

What you probably didn’t know about Asthma:

• 1 in 11 people in the UK have asthma
• Every ten seconds someone has a potentially life-threatening attack.
• 1.1 million of these sufferers are children
• Every year the amount of children who die from Asthma can fill a classroom
• Tragically two thirds of these deaths could be prevented
• Race Across America (RAAM) is known as one the most respected and oldest endurance sports events in the world
• The race is an outstanding platform for raising money for charitable causes - over $2.5 million is raised annually for a wide range of causes with 35 countries taking part in the Race.
• The Ruck and Rollers are aiming to raise over £200,000 for Asthma UK through fund raising and sponsorship.

Team Website

Antonia Thomas

The Charity http://www.asthma.org.uk/Default.aspx

The Race http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/raam2.php?N_webcat_id=1

Just Giving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/raam2015/