Industry charity calls on cyclists to join London to Paris challenge

Springboard is calling hospitality employees to take part in its annual Team Velo challenge to raise money for the charity.

The challenge – in partnership with Sky and supported by Pullman Hotels – will see participants cycle from London to Paris over three days between 22 and 24 September.

On the first day cyclists will travel 84.5 miles from London to Portsmouth, 68 miles from Caen to La Neubourg on the second day and 76 miles from La Neubourg to Paris on the final day.

Anne Pierce, Springboard’s CEO said: “I am punishing myself yet again by doing Team Velo, and in my saner moments I ask myself why? Each time the reasons for doing it drown out the protestations of my ageing body – it’s great fun, it’s an awesome sense of achievement and it’s competitive, in a kind of light-hearted but deadly serious kind of way.

“You meet some great people, you see some great sights, but most of all it’s a way of raising funds to make a difference to people’s lives – and that’s always worth the effort.”

Chris Mitchell, managing director The Genuine Dining, which helped launch the event, said: “Team Velo Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for me and my staff to get together in unfamiliar surrounds and challenging situations, but above all else we have an absolute blast.”

Alison Dolan, deputy managing director for Sky Business, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting this fantastic challenge, which helps to raise vital funds for the charity to help positively change the lives of many in the hospitality industry.”

Funds from the event will be used to develop and support Springboard’s youth programmes in a bid to encourage more people to take up careers in hospitality, leisure and tourism.

By registering a team, each cyclist commits to raising a minimum of £500.