Partner Article

JAM Pedals For Success With Cycling Scouser

JAM, the Manchester based PR and design consultancy, is supporting charity fundraiser and adventure seeker, Cycling Scouser in his epic, 10,000-mile journey from China to Liverpool… on a push bike!

Cycling Scouser – real name, Andrew Rogerson – has taken five months out from his career as an auto electrician at Jaguar Land Rover, Halewood to embark upon a gruelling cycle in aid of blood cancer charity, the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Charitable Andrew, is funding the entire trip himself – sleeping on the sides of roads, in woods or at bus stops to keep costs down – and aims to cycle over 100km a day, allowing himself just one day off a week. JAM selects a charity to support each year as part of its CSR strategy. As such, Cycling Scouser is this year’s chosen charity that JAM is undertaking work for as a pro bono project. The work includes both PR and creative activity to raise awareness and increase donations for Andrew’s sponsored cycle.

Although Cycling Scouser is enduring the entire expedition alone, he has garnered the support of many back home in Liverpool. He is part of a larger fundraising group for blood cancer charities called Barrow for Marrow; a like-minded group of fundraisers, equally determined and tenacious to complete various physical sponsorship tasks…in wheelbarrows.

The Barrow for Marrow group has been to Westminster to support the Anthony Nolan Trusts’ new campaign, “Destination cure”, calling on the NHS and Department of Health to give patients, and their families, the treatment and support they need and deserve. Armed with an impressive media pack designed and produced by JAM, Cycling Scouser’s supporters joined Barrow for Marrow at the House of Commons, to share Andrew’s story and appeal for government support.

During the event, Anthony Nolan Chief Executive, Henny Braund, expressed how grateful he was for the support of Barrow for Marrow and the Cycling Scouser, and for everything they have done to raise both awareness and funds.

JAM’s creative division, in partnership with Manchester based digital agency, Highly Developed, has built a bespoke website to document the Cycling Scouser’s entire journey. The site includes an interactive map outlining the expedition, indicating a live tracker of miles covered, current location and running total of funds raised. In addition, a regular blog with video diary entries and photos of Andrew’s gruelling efforts are uploaded frequently, giving supporters full access to every part of the adventure.

JAM is operating a full-service press office, generating press materials and securing media opportunities throughout Andrew’s journey. As well as arranging ongoing media interviews with Andrew, via Skype, JAM is lining up further press activity for his return in October. T

he creative team produced posters, business cards and t-shirts to distribute to local businesses and further raise awareness.

Cycling Scouser has garnered a significant social media following across Twitter and Facebook, receiving celebrity support from many big names including Robbie Fowler, The Zutons and Jamie Carragher. He has exceeded his original fundraising target of £5,000 and has increased it to £7,000 due to the growing level of support for his adventure.

Andrew said: “This experience continues to be one of the most unexpected, terrifying, exhausting but truly rewarding things I have ever done. Nevertheless, raising awareness and funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust is what it’s all about. I can’t thank the guys at JAM enough for the effort they are putting in behind the scenes, to raise the Cycling Scouser profile and make a bigger impact.”

Dave Gee, Creative Director at JAM, said: “The whole team is extremely excited to be part of such an inspiring, energising project. Our job is to get the amazing story of Cycling Scouser out there, and it’s a real pleasure to be working for such a worthy cause with real passion behind it.”

Follow Andrew’s journey by heading to www.cyclingscouser.com, and find out how to pledge your support to Anthony Nolan.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Niamh McKenna .