INDUSTRY PEDAL POWER SETS SIGHTS ON PARIS
28 June 2012
Senior executives from the CILT, FTA, RHA and TfL* have joined forces with Transaid to organise a charity bike ride from London to Paris. Together, the five organisations are looking to recruit a 50-strong team to pedal to the French capital this October, collectively raising £100,000 to support Transaid’s Professional Driver Training projects in Africa.
Planned over a long weekend between 5 and 8 October 2012, the challenge is open to any team or individual working within the transport and logistics industry. The group aims to cycle between these two major European cities over three days, covering 310km en route to the finishing line beside the Eiffel Tower.
Amongst those already signed-up to take-part are representatives of the five organisations, including FTA President Stewart Oades, TfL Commissioner of Transport Peter Hendy, Transaid CEO Gary Forster and Transaid Chairman Graeme McFaull.
Transaid’s cycle challenges have become famous across the industry; since 2006 teams of supporters have saddled-up in Malawi, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania and only last week in Madagascar – raising vital funds for projects in the developing world.
Promoting the first European-based event, Forster says: “The London to Paris cycling expedition offers a shorter-length challenge a little closer to home. It won’t be a walk in the park; the route is graded as ‘challenging’, but with a little preparation, we should all arrive in Paris on time!”
Oades adds: “Taking part is a chance for anyone in the industry to support one of the most important issues of our time, and help reduce the economic and social impacts of road crashes throughout Africa and the developing world.”
Participants must pay a £99 registration fee, and commit to raising £1,500 or more.
The trip will set off through the streets of London and cycle through the countryside towards the port of Dover, before an evening ferry crossing to Calais. On day two the group will cycle from Dieppe through sleepy Normandy villages to Gournay en Bray, with challenging hills to conquer along the way. On day three the surroundings become more urban, passing through the famous Parisian park, Bois de Boulogne, en route to the Eiffel Tower finishing line. Day four sees a chance to explore the sights of Paris, before returning to London for a relaxing journey home on Eurostar. Accommodation en route will be in hotels.
For further information and to download a registration pack visit http://www.transaid.org/london-to-paris-cycle-ride, or contact Aggie Krasnolucka-Hickman at Transaid on +44 (0) 20 7387 8136 or aggie@transaid.org.
*Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Freight Transport Association, Road Haulage Association and Transport for London.
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Note to Editor:
Transaid (www.transaid.org) is an international development agency that aims to improve people’s quality of life in the developing world by making transport more available and affordable. It was founded by Save The Children and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) and works by sharing skills and knowledge with local people to enable them to put in place and manage efficient transport systems.
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 HIV, AIDS and 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:
Chantelle Cummingsat Transaid +44 (0)20 7387 8136
James Keeler at Garnett Keeler +44 (0)20 8647 4467
TRAN/184/12
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