CILT volunteers help raise £100,000 to prevent road deaths in Africa by cycling to Paris

Inspired by the success of our Olympic cyclists, a number of CILT members and staff have climbed onto the saddle and raised £1000s towards reducing the high death toll on Africa’s roads, by riding 326 km from London to Paris for international development charity Transaid.

CILT’s Chairman, Neil Ashworth; and two Institute former Presidents, Peter Hendy CBE and Graeme McFaull; took part in the event; they are all keen supporters of Transaid. It has not been the first big cycling challenge for Peter Hendy this year; he is Transport for London Commissioner and recently led TfL’s provision of transport for the summer games, including the outstanding bike events.

CILT’s very own Bradley Wiggins, Business Development Manager Daryl Chesney, cycled once again for Transaid. He’s a veteran of a number of previous sponsored Transaid rides across a number of countries in Africa.

Daryl was sponsored entirely by leading industry recruitment specialists Bis Henderson. Daryl explains: ‘Thanks to the generosity of Andy Kaye and the team at Bis Henderson I was able to take part in this memorable ride. I’ve seen at first hand the work that Transaid is doing in countries such as Malawi and Kenya and this is a way of literally going the extra mile to help our official charity’.

Gary Forster, Chief Executive of Transaid says: "Thanks to everyone involved from CILT for their hard work. They got up from behind their desk and put up with gruelling muscle ache during mile after mile of riding to help Transaid save lives in Africa. "

CILT staff also helped organise and publicise the successful event.

Transaid’s cycle challenges have become famous across the transportation industry; since 2006 teams of supporters have saddled-up in Malawi, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania and Madagascar, but this is the first time Transaid has run a cycle challenge so close to home. Next year, Transaid will run a cycle challenge in Uganda, with the funds continuing to support its work. Find out more at www.transaid.org.

A 40-strong team participated in the three-day cycle ride to Paris, collectively raising more than £100,000 for Transaid. Sponsored by tyre manufacturer Bandvulc, the challenge also included participants from more than a dozen firms representing the transport and logistics industry.

The effort began in London on Friday morning, October 5, covering 326 km to the finish line beside the Eiffel Tower by Sunday night, October 7.