An intrepid team of Burhill Group employees, led by company CEO Colin Mayes, has successfully completed a charity bike ride to Paris from Surrey-based Burhill Golf Club, raising nearly £10,000 to support the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
The BGL Group were eager to take on this challenge to support the millions of people who have suffered so much in the past year, both in Ukraine, and trying to flee the war-torn country. All of the money raised during this challenge will be used to directly aid the humanitarian efforts in the country being led by the Red Cross.
Following the completion of the challenge, Mayes said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have completed this challenge, and more importantly, to have raised a phenomenal amount of money that will hopefully provide some help to those suffering in Ukraine.
“It’s been incredibly important to us all to do what we can to support the British Red Cross and we hope that this donation will help them to continue providing desperately needed aid. Personally, I am so proud of the group for taking this challenge head on, and for how passionately they continued to pursue further donations for this fantastic cause since we first set out to take on the challenge.”
The 300km-plus challenge got under way outside Burhill Golf Club on September 2, with a difficult 75-mile ride over the famous Ditchling Beacon to catch the ferry to France at Newhaven. Day two was the longest of the three planned, covering nearly 120km and around 2,400 feet of elevation. The team suffered five punctures and two mechanical issues before arriving at the overnight stop. The final day involved a 105km ride into Paris from the west, via the Palace of Versailles. The team approached the finish line at the base of the Eiffel Tower with a burst of energy and were greeted by the support team and a well-earned glass of Champagne.
Wearing the national colours of Ukraine on their jerseys, upon arrival the group of cyclists were recognised by a Ukrainian family who had just arrived in Paris, having fled their hometown of Odessa due to the invasion – a sobering reminder of why the team made the decision to take on this challenge.
The total amount raised for the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal is currently £9,105. With donations still coming in, the cheque for the final total raised is to be presented to the British Red Cross in early October.
To make a donation to this worthy cause, click here.