London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Professor Liam Smeeth, LSHTM's Director, is passionate about the health and wellbeing benefits of exercise and always makes time in his busy schedule to run or cycle to work. Next month, along with 19 other hardy souls, Liam will be ‘going the extra mile’ as he takes on the legendary London to Brighton cycle ride, in aid of the LSHTM Scholarship Fund.  

In addition to his daily commute by bicycle, Liam, together with our team of staff, alumni and friends, is committed to cycling 55 miles, over hill and down dale, all the way from Clapham Common in South West London to the famous Brighton Seafront, on 10 September 2023.

“I’m taking part in the ride to raise funds for Scholarships, helping reduce financial barriers to people who want to study with us, and widening participation in our courses. I’m also taking part because it will be fun – even if it rains – cycling to the sea through the beautiful south downs, meeting new people, and being part of a shared endeavour.”

Professor Liam Smeeth

The route is due south from London to the South Coast, through the urban sprawl and out into the beautiful English countryside, and reaches an intimidating 19% inclined gradient at the daunting Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs before the delightful descent to Brighton.

The team is raising funds for the LSHTM Scholarship Fund and the Val Curtis Memorial Fund, ensuring the most talented scientists can access postgraduate study at LSHTM. They have already hit their £4,000 milestone and hope to raise another £2,000 to achieve their team target.

“We know that every year, many of the brightest and best people – both in the UK and globally - are unable to access our postgraduate courses because they lack sufficient funding. The cost of living crisis around the world has made affording postgraduate education even more difficult for many. Raising funds for Scholarships is of ever-increasing importance. Widening participation in our courses and removing financial barriers are central to our mission as a School. Providing high-quality education and training, embedded in our research, allows us to contribute to improving health and health equity worldwide.”

Professor Liam Smeeth

If you are in Brighton on 10 September and want to show your support, please come and find us beyond the finish line to cheer on the fantastic efforts of our 2023 LSHTM cyclist team – and if they have inspired you to take up a challenge in aid of our students and our mission to improve global health equity, get in touch with Sarah Enderby, LSHTM’s Regular Giving Officer, to learn more about the range of sponsored events you can take part in.

• You can register your interest in joining the London to Brighton cycle ride in September 2024.
• You can register your interest in joining the Cambridge Half Marathon in March 2024. 
• You can register your interest in joining the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April 2024.

About the LSHTM Scholarship Fund

With the generous support of our alumni and friends, LSHTM helps train the next generation of global health leaders, removing the barriers to education and improving global health equity through the provision of scholarships.

With the cost of living increasing for everyone and life as a student in London costing more than ever before, scholarships play an increasingly important part in widening participation and improving equity in global health, regardless of financial background.