On a grey and cloudy morning on Sunday 19th June, 38 cyclists gathered in a car park in Chester to embark on a challenge of epic proportions… the Champion Century Cycle Challenge!
Setting off at 8.00am with marshalls and two Global Bike support vehicles in tow, the cyclists were in high spirits despite having a long and gruelling day ahead.
A quick refuel at our Manchester office kept the cyclist going, as did family, friends, children and dogs who were there to welcome them at various stages of the ride. Mavis Champion, wife of the late Fred Champion, also came along to offer her support and meet some of the team.
At Southport, riders were treated to massages in return for a donation towards Champions “40 for 40 Fundraiser”, while Chester team member Nathan Jones breezed through a painful leg wax, after managing to raise an additional £100 in donations from people eager to see him suffer!
Despite the recent torrential rain, the weather was on our side and although certain legs of the ride proved tough due to strong winds, the afternoon brought glorious sunshine.
The event took around eleven hours in total, but the determined cyclists refused to give up and all those that had set out to cross the final finishing line did, to loud cheers and applause from the waiting supporters at Kirkgate House.
In all, 55 riders took part in the Challenge, with 35 completing the full 100 miles. To date, we have managed to raise over £19,000, which, when coupled with our other fundraising efforts, gives us a current fundraising total of over £25,000 for our 40 for 40 Fundraiser.
Ged Cosgrove, Group Managing Partner commented, “I would like to offer huge congratulations to all the riders who completed what they set out to do. It really was an amazing day and it was great to see the team pulling together to ensure everyone was successful.”
“The event would have been impossible however, had it not been for the colossal amount of support we received on and off the road, so a big thank you to everyone involved. Finally, our fundraising total to date is astounding so I would like to thank everyone that sponsored the riders, plus Flandria Bikes for coming on board as our sponsor.”
For more information on Champions 40 for 40 Fundraiser, contact LIZ MADDEN, Marketing Executive on 0161 7032500 or e-mail liz.madden@championgroup.co.uk
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