Folkestone to Paris Cycle Challenge

Unite & Bike for Heroes

4-9 August 2014

A Hundred Years on from the Declaration of World War One

A bike ride charity challenge raising money for British military heroes, will set off from Folkestone for Paris on 4 August 2014 – 100 years after the First World War was declared. The ride is being organised by charity challenge operator Global Adventure Challenges and will take in key battlefields and war memorials along the way.   

Coinciding with a centenary memorial parade in Folkestone, 100 riders will begin their challenge in the town that was the embarkation point for British troops leaving to fight in the trenches.

The route will wind through battlefields of Northern France and head towards Belgium, with the first day finishing in the strategic town of Ypres – which saw five devastating battles during the war. Riders will then cycle through Lens, the Somme, Arras, Amiens and Compiègne and stop to pay respects at the largest memorials and cemeteries before reaching Paris on day five.

Cyclists, who’ll be cycling on average 65 miles a day, can sign up now to Unite & Bike for Heroes at globalaHYPERLINK
"http://www.global/"dventurechallenges.comor call 01244 676 454 and register for £149. It will then either cost £775 to self-fund your trip or you can raise a minimum sponsorship of £1,895 for military charities or a charity of your choice.

Peter Robinson, co-founder of Global Adventure Challenges said: “With the centenary of the start of the First World War in 2014, we thought it would be an amazing opportunity and a fitting tribute to join forces with a number of military charities and organise an historic fundraising challenge which will push participants to the limit, take in the most important monuments and battlefields of the war and raise money for today’s heroes, who’ve paid a high price for serving our country.”

The fundraising challenge will raise money for a number of military charities, including SSAFA and Army of Angels.

Jess Dawkins from SSAFA said: "We’re delighted that Unite & Bike for Heroes will be raising money for SSAFA. This amazing ride will raise vital funds for modern day heroes who have served this country and remember the terrible price paid by so many young men whose lives were cut short during the First World War.”

Jack Sklenar from Army of Angels said: “It’s fantastic to be involved with the Unite and Bike for Heroes challenge.  We see the WW1 centenary ride as the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past whilst helping ex-service men and women in the present. The WW1 ride also makes a bold statement about the work we do, as we provide assistance to the oldest of veterans dating back to WW2 as well as for veterans from more recent conflicts.”

Ends

For more details and to book call 01244 676 454 or visit www.globaladventurechallenges.com

Notes to Editors:

Global Adventure Challengeshas been organising worldwide charity challenge events since the year 2000.  By working with 1,500 different charities,
all the events raise essential funds for a wide variety of causes. For 2013 the company will operate 85 challenges for more than 2,500 participants.

For further information please contact: Stef Hall | Events Officer & Challenge Leader | Global Adventure Challenges Ltd, DDI: 01244 670745 | Tel: 01244 676454 Email: stef@globaladventurechallenges.com

SSAFAprovides practical, emotional and financial support to anyone who is serving or has ever served and their families.

For further information please contact: Jessica Dawkins | Tel: 020 7403 8783 Email: teamssafa@ssafa.org.uk.

Army of Angelsprovides direct and indirect support to members of the UK’s armed forces who have been injured while serving their country and their families.

For further information please contact: Jack Sklenar – Tel: 01684 274577 | Email: jack.sklenar@armyofangels.org.uk