We have immense pleasure in congratulating Mike Hopkins following his inclusion in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List being awarded a Member of the British Empire recognising his Achievements and Services to Education.

Outwardly, anyone who knows him will know Mike will always make you aware of his achievements, but his strengths are often helping others, driving them to achieve and frequently exceed their own expectations.

Mike is seen, amongst his peers, as a leading figure in national education but we all know him as a fervent supporter of V-Sprint Club and a regular participant on our rides. Mike is always keen to support and encourage individual riders to improve and progress, a trait he brings from his educational background. Mike will happily lead the group all day from the front, making sure the pace brings everyone to the finish of the ride.

The first in his family to go to grammar School, his career brought him in to Education, his time at South & City College Birmingham has seen it expand from a turnover of £10 million to over £73 million responsible for 20,000 students every year bringing to his hometown of Birmingham exactly the same passion he brings to V-Sprint.

His extreme determination is a testament to his father, who those close to Mike will know gave him the drive to succeed. Although we are sad that he is not here to share in his recognition, as a club we share the pride his Dad would have had.

The boy from Lozells done good, well done Michael John Hopkins MBE.

We would also like to extend our congratulations to Geoff Thomas who is also honoured as a Member of the British Empire. Geoff’s services to the NHS and to charity, raising awareness and funds for Cure Leukaemia can give him immense pride.

In a few weeks’ time Mike and Geoff will be part of a group aiming to raise over £1,000,000 by cycling the route of the Tour De France one week ahead of the professional riders. This however is a small sum in comparison to the awareness and funds Geoff has already provided for Cure Leukaemia in the years since his own diagnosis and recovery.

Over the past few month’s riders from V-Sprint have been supporting Mike and Geoff as they prepare for France, it is truly and honour for us to be associated with them both, and we wish them every success both in this adventure and in the future, continuing providing the services they have been justly rewarded for.