Consultant haematologist Sam Ackroyd has completed a gruelling four-day sponsored ride to Paris and raised £1,000 for the Haemophilia Society in the process.

Sam, who is also director of our haemophilia services, lead the team of medical professionals nicknamed ‘the Haem Team’ who cycled to the World Federation of Hemophilia in the French capital in July.

The charity is the only national and independent organisation for all people affected by bleeding disorders.

“The international conference was in part the motivation to cycle there,” said Sam, 36, a keen cyclist. “The 50^th World Federation of Haemophilia Congress enables doctors, scientists, healthcare workers, patients and haemophilia organisations from all over the world to gather to learn about the latest advances in research and treatment and to discuss ways of improving life for people who face the daily challenge of living with these disorders.

“Part of the purpose of the bike ride was to raise public awareness of these widely misunderstood conditions and I’m delighted that we, as a group, raised £10,000 for our efforts.”

The team set off from London for Newhaven on July 5, and then spent two days cycling to Paris, with a 30-mile ride into the French capital on the last day, July 8.

Other Bradford staff who attended the Paris conference alongside Sam included: Sally Pollard (consultant paediatrician), Susan Smith and Linda Brooks (haemophilia specialist nurses), Gillian Meah (haemophilia data manager), Gill Stevens (haemostasis laboratory senior scientist), Kathryn Elison (physiotherapist) and Judith Wright (specialist dentist).

You can still sponsor the team at just giving.com/cycletocongress, text VAKD79 plus the amount to 70070, or call the Society on (0207) 831 020.