News Summary:
- 27 cyclists have completed a 225 km cycle challenge in the UK, raising funds for Transaid’s life-saving projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
- The two-day ride from Dorking to the Isle of Wight raised more than £41,000, with riders taking part from 10 businesses across the road transport sector.
- Focus now shifts to a 454 km cycle challenge in Tanzania this coming September, with the last few places remaining.
A team of 27 riders have completed Transaid’s first cycle challenge of the year, tackling a 225 km ride from Dorking to the Isle of Wight, raising vital funds for the international development organisation’s road safety and access to healthcare projects across sub-Saharan Africa.
Over two days in the saddle, the group collectively raised more than £41,000, including a generous amount donated by event sponsors Dawsongroup and Stanley Travel. Lucketts Travel supported riders with complimentary return coach travel for all participants.
The challenge began with a climb of the iconic Box Hill, as featured in the 2012 London Olympics, before continuing over 120 km to the Portsmouth-Fishbourne ferry. Day 2 followed a 106 km bucket list loop of the beautiful Isle of Wight, taking in testing climbs, sweeping descents, and a constantly changing backdrop of seaside villages, chalk cliffs, wooded glens, and historic landmarks.
Anna Giavedoni, Events Manager at Transaid, says: “This challenge was no leisurely ride around the island, but as always, our cyclists dug deep and the beauty of the route and the good cause they were all supporting helped to distract from its difficulty! We are always so impressed by the passion and commitment shown by our cycle challenge participants, and indebted to them for their commitment to both fundraising and putting in the hard work in the saddle.
“The unrestricted funds raised from events like these allow us to launch new pilot projects with the potential to transform and save lives. We’re now looking ahead to our second cycle challenge in 2026 coming up this autumn, when a group of riders will take on our Kilimanjaro to Coast challenge in Tanzania.”
Participants represented 10 companies from across the transport and logistics industry, including Asset Alliance Group, Backhouse Jones, Dawsongroup, GXO, Iron Mountain, IVECO, The Malcolm Group, NewCold, Stanley Travel and TRS Tyres.
The upcoming Kilimanjaro to Coast ride will take place from 17-26 September 2026, lasting 10 days – with five days in the saddle – and covering a 454 km adventure across Tanzania. To secure one of the few remaining places, or for more information, please contact Anna Giavedoni, via anna@transaid.org or +44 (0)20 7387 8136. Registrations close on Monday 25 May.
For more information and to find out how you can support the organisation visit www.transaid.org.
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Note to Editor:
About Transaid
Transaid transforms lives through safe, available, and sustainable transport. Founded by Save the Children, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and its Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, the international development organisation works with communities, partners, and governments to solve transport challenges throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Transaid works in two core areas, road safety and access to health, to solve two of the biggest transport challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Transaid’s road safety work focuses on influencing safe driver behaviour with long term programmes in Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, responding to local needs for improved training for drivers and riders of trucks, buses, motorcycles and forklift trucks. On the access to health side, Transaid is working with local partners and communities to strengthen access to health services, primarily in rural areas. They are also working to strengthen health supply chains in collaboration with local partners and governments.
Transaid enjoys strong backing from the transport and logistics industry and the active involvement of its patron, HRH The Princess Royal.
For further press information:
Maddy Matheson at Transaid: +44 (0)20 7387 8136 / maddy@transaid.org
Natalie Ganshert or James Keeler at Garnett Keeler PR: +44 (0)20 8647 4467, or by email to natalie.ganshert@garnettkeeler.com / james.keeler@garnettkeeler.com
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