College Team Prepare for Cycle Challenge

It’s lycra and crash helmets at the ready for a team of staff at Canterbury College as they prepare to take part in one of the toughest charity challenges – the London to Paris Bike Ride.

The group, of 12 men and 1 woman, is currently training for the event which covers almost 500km from the centre of London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Most of the team usually enjoy cycling for fun or to keep fit and this will be their first long distance event.

They will be part of an overall group of around 100 people aiming to complete the challenge to raise thousands of pounds for various charities.

The Canterbury College team needs to raise £17,500 and will be donating the money to two charities, ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity and Hilary Lister’s Dream Trust.

Members of the Canterbury College team have already been in the centre of Canterbury and at Victoria train station in London collecting money, with more events planned in the near future.

Sarah Bittorf, Events Officer at Canterbury College, is part of the London to Paris Team she said: “We’re all really looking forward to taking part and raising a lot of money for our chosen charities. We decided to support ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity, because the College is based near to Howe Barracks; we also wanted to support Hilary Lister as she recently visited the College to speak to members of staff and was really inspirational.”

Sarah added: “The cycle is going to be a personal challenge for each one of us, but I’m sure we’ll work well as a team and support each other throughout the journey.”

The cyclists will be setting off from London on 22nd June and will arrive in Paris three days later.

To sponsor the Canterbury College London to Paris team visit, www.doitforcharity.com/canterburycollege - alternatively visit their Facebook page.

Hilary Lister, 36, lives near Canterbury and suffers from a degenerative condition that has led to her becoming quadriplegic. She discovered sailing in 2003 and in 2005 made history by becoming the first quadriplegic to sail solo across the English Channel. Her charity aims to help people with disability or severe disadvantage the chance to enjoy sailing.