TWO keen cyclists took to the saddle this summer to ride more than 300 miles from London to Paris, all in aid of St Richard’s Hospice.
Angela Preece and Janice Wallace, both from Claines, set off on July 20 to complete their international challenge in just four days, raising over £4,000 to support hospice care in Worcestershire.
Joining 180 other charity cyclists, the duo pedalled from Selsdon Park in South London, through the Kent countryside to Dover, before crossing the Channel to Calais.
The iconic route took them through traditional French market towns, passing the war memorials and cemeteries of the Somme, all the way to the Champs Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe.
Both keen cyclists, the duo met last year via a Facebook cycling blog and have been cycling together ever since.
Dedicating their challenge to St Richard’s, the hospice has cared for a number of their family members and friends and they wanted to help ensure that other patients and their families would be able to benefit from the compassionate end of life care the local charity provides.
Miss Wallace said: “The highlight of this amazing trip was to ride en masse past the Louvre and then around the Arc de Triomphe.
“The crowds were amazing, it was an incredible atmosphere and very emotional. Unbelievably, we managed to avoid punctures and falls over the 320 miles.
“The support we received from friends and family and everyone along the route has been amazing and we are both keen to take part in another overseas cycling challenge for St Richard’s.”
To donate to their fund in aid of St Richard’s Hospice visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ANGIE-GLANVILLE
