A TRIO of bike riders are celebrating after successfully pedalling to Paris to raise money for Stratford charity Cyclists Fighting Cancer.
Brother and sister Edward and Vicky Bamford, together with their friend Chris Moss, completed the gruelling trip – 460km in four days – despite Vicky, who works for Guide Dogs in Leamington, being hit by a caravan in Dover before they crossed the Channel.
A second brother, Ben, who arranged a number of fund-raising events to further boost the charity, said: “She’s one tough young lady – her leg is badly bruised but she was determined to complete the trip.”
The trio also did the ride in memory of a favourite uncle, Richard Bamford.
Both Ben and Vicky live in Inkberrow while Edward lives in Evesham but works as a teacher in Stratford. Chris, who overcame knee surgery to do the ride, lives in Bedford.
“Cyclists Fighting Cancer is a wonderful charity,” said Ben.
“It enables children and young people living with cancer across the UK to regain their physical fitness, strength and confidence by giving them new bikes, adapted trikes, tandems, other equipment and support. Physical activity is a key element in rehabilitation from treatments.”
Their route took them from London to Calais on day one (120km), then Calais to Abbeville (125km), Abbeville to Beauvais (120km) and then Beauvais to Paris (94km).
The trio were backed by a range of sponsors including Bannocks Tigre Marble, the Diamond Centre of Wales, Dudleys Coaches, Stratford High School and Steven Bruce Auctioneers.
Ben meanwhile arranged a series of events, including a casino night and charity auction featuring a hat donated by motorcycling world champion Valentino Rossi and a diamond necklace from the Diamond Centre.
So far they have raised nearly £3,000 but are keen to smash that barrier and bring in as much as possible.
To support them visit Just Giving and look for Vicky, Chris and Ed Bamford.
