A team of 58 cyclists from across the transport and logistics industry have completed a 240-mile London to Paris cycle ride to raise vital funds for international development organisation Transaid.
The group had already raised more than £100,000 when they set off from London on 22 September, and this figure is expected to grow once all sponsorship money is collected. Fundraising from the event will go towards supporting Transaid’s projects to transform lives in sub-Saharan Africa through safe, available, and sustainable transport.
The European cycle challenge, which is in its fifth year, saw the group face hilly terrain, balanced with sections through picturesque and quaint villages in northern France, to cross the finish line at the Eiffel Tower on 24 September.
Transaid’s Head of Fundraising, Florence Bearman, who took part in the ride says: “Our cycle challenges are always a lot of fun, but they really put you to the test too. We’re incredibly lucky to enjoy such fantastic levels of industry backing, particularly when we’re asking busy people to get out from behind their desks and pedal hard for three days!”
Alan Hunt, Managing Director of Schmitz Cargobull UK and Ireland, which has just become the first trailer manufacturer to sign up as a Transaid corporate member, says: “We all worked tirelessly to prepare for this event and so being able to finish at one of the world’s greatest landmarks was a fantastic way to round off the trip, and my first challenge in support of Transaid.”
The London to Paris route was Transaid’s first ever short-haul cycling event back in 2012. Since then, international challenges have taken riders to destinations such as Amsterdam, Madagascar and Tanzania – with Zambia the destination for a 40-strong group of riders in 2018, which is also the year of Transaid’s 20th anniversary.
The 58 riders who took part in the challenge represented an impressive 31 firms from across the industry, including Adstock Bulk Solutions, Alpine Travel, Backhouse Jones Solicitors, Bullet Express, Coca Cola, Collect +, Davies & Robson, Dawson Group, Delin Capital, DHL Supply Chain, Ecodrive Transmissions, Fagan & Whalley, Fuel Learning, Griffiths & Armour, Hammonds Coaches, Hearns Coaches, H.Luckett & Co, Hoyer Petrolog, Institute of Couriers, Irizar UK, Metroline, Pulhams Coaches, Rockpools, Schmitz Cargobull, SEC Storage, Stanley Travel, TRS Tyres, uTrack, XPO Logistics, XPO Transport and WH Malcolm.
For more information and to find out how you can support the organisation, visit www.transaid.org.
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Note to Editor:
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 shares 25 years’ worth of expertise in 23 countries with partners and governments – empowering people to build the skills they need to transform their own lives.
Transaid’s core work includes creating transport management systems for the public sector and assisting with the provision of professional driving qualification development and the training of driver trainers. It also assists with teaching preventive vehicle maintenance management and introducing local, low cost transport solutions including its innovative bicycle ambulance. Transaid also helps promote road safety awareness and shares its specialist knowledge with the humanitarian aid sector.
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:
Florence Bearman at Transaid +44 (0)20 7387 8136
Rebecca Gleave at Garnett Keeler +44 (0)20 8647 4467, or by email to rebecca.gleave@garnettkeeler.com
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