A team of cyclists from Avonside has completed a grueling journey from London to Paris to raise money for charity.
The London to Paris Cycle Challenge consists of four days of cycling covering over 300 miles on various terrains.
The group of ten set out from Bexleyheath, Kent on July 25 at 7am to catch a ferry from Dover at 3pm, before continuing the journey on the second day to Arras in northern France. Day three saw the team head south to Compiegne in 30ºC temperatures, passing numerous WWI memorials and monuments through the region of the Somme.
The final day of cycling led the team to Paris, where they joined up with over 200 cyclists taking part in the tour to cycle the last stretch round the Place de la Concorde, up the Champs Elysees and around the Arc de Triomphe, finishing under the Eiffel Tower.
Tony Burke, managing director of the Avonside Group who was one of the cyclists, said: “I’m very proud of all the guys who took part in this challenge. It was harder than expected, even after all the training we put in. However, it was most definitely worth it as we have managed to raise £2,000 so far for our chosen charities, which are The Alzheimer’s Society, The Dystonia Society and the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.”
As well as Mr. Burke, the Avonside Team consisted of Graham Dodds, branch director at Avonside Dodds; John Dervey, business development manager; Wayne Gibbs, senior contracts manager at Avonside Roofing Wales; Chris McLean, branch director at Avonside Roofing Edinburgh; Sarah Burke, group health and safety training co-ordinator; John Starkie, creative director at A-Star Media; Scott Mills, contracts manager at Avonside Letchworth; Nick Tappin, finance director at Absolute Renewables Energy; and Maati Pallas, estimator at Avonside C&I Midlands.
To sponsor the Avonside Team, visit its Just Giving page or text AVON88 followed by an amount (£5) to 70070.
