On 23rd September 2021 ‘Team Havens’ along with cyclists supporting another Essex based hospice charity Saint Francis Hospice in Romford, will set off from London cycling over 200 miles to Paris, across three days.

Cycling from London to Paris is one of the great cycle experiences in Europe where participants will be passing through picturesque English countryside down to crossing the Channel at Portsmouth and continuing through the small villages and medieval market towns of Northern France. The sight of the Eiffel Tower, the challenge’s finishing point, will evoke a real sense of achievement for all participants.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore the incredible sights of the French capital on the final day of their challenge to celebrate their achievements.

All money raised will help the charity continue to care for adults, babies, children and young people from across Essex living with complex or incurable conditions and their families, by controlling pain and medication, offering respite and caring for them at the end of their lives.

Stewart Turner, Trustee at Havens Hospices took part in the hospice’s last London to Paris Cycle back in 2016 also completing the charity’s Three Peak Challenge last year and cycling 150 miles from Little Havens to Amsterdam in 2018. He says: “I’ve taken part in several challenges for Havens Hospices, and the London to Paris bike ride, although tough, was a fantastic and memorable experience.

“There is such a camaraderie with the other cyclists who are all cycling for an amazing cause and you learn along the journey why people are raising money for the charity, due to losing a loved one or knowing someone that has used the hospices’ services.

“I personally made some friends for life on the journey, and one of the most memorable moments of my life will be stopping traffic on the Arc de Triomphe roundabout for all of us to cycle around as a group before arriving at our final destination – The Eiffel Tower!”

Jane Hopkins, Voluntary Income Team Leader at Havens Hospices says: “The London to Paris cycle is truly a remarkable experience for keen cyclists looking to raise money for their local hospice charity.

“For next year’s event we are absolutely delighted to be teaming with Saint Francis Hospice where both teams of supporters will join forces, driven by our common goal to raise money for our hospice care across Essex.

“We do not charge a penny for our hospice care services and that is only possible thanks to the money raised by supporters taking part in events like this one. So, if you are a keen cyclist looking already thinking about your new year’s resolutions, why not make the London to Paris cycle one of them?”

Rosie Wren, Event Manager at Saint Francis Hospice, said “We are delighted to be teaming up with Havens Hospices to offer the London to Paris Cycle to our supporters and we sincerely hope that lots of people will take up the once in a lifetime opportunity. Saint Francis Hospice, like Havens Hospices, has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and need support from the local community now, more than ever. We can’t think of a better way to support your local hospice than taking on this bucket list challenge.”

For more information about this event and to register your interest, please visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/londontoparis or call Jane Hopkins on 01702 221658 or email jhopkins@havenshospices.org.uk.

Published 23rd November 2020.