Our Managing Director Gareth Townsend takes on the Paris 24 Challenge to raise money for Diabetes UK

14 September 2018

In a just a few hours our Managing Director will be embarking on a feat of endurance as he takes on the Paris 24 Challenge to raise money for Diabetes UK, taking on hills, terrain and weather conditions in this epic challenge across 175 miles.

Diabetes UK is a charity that is very close to Gareth’s heart. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 10 yrs ago he has a full respect for people who are living with diabetes with either Type 1 or Type 2 and how it can have a direct impact for people on a day to day basis, ongoing problems for their general health and even loss of life.  This is more than enough of an incentive to spur Gareth on to help raise money for this deserving cause.

Training for this event was going well until he had an unfortunate cycling accident with a car in Milton Keynes where he fractured his collarbone and sustained lower back problems resulting on an operation to reset his collar bone.

Gareth didn’t let this hold him back.  After a period of therapy and rest, he got back on two wheels, trained at home and out on the road and completed the London 100 challenge in July.

Starting today at 14:00 at Crystal Palace Gareth will be leaving the busy streets of London as the route opens up to the beautiful Kent countryside. Onwards he will cycle along the edge of the North Downs to Newhaven where an overnight ferry will take him to Dieppe.  The picturesque Normandy countryside awaits dotted with quaint villages and beautiful meadows.

The finishing line lies in the magical city of Paris, across the Seine to finish this outstanding challenge underneath Paris’ Eiffel Tower where he can celebrate this marvellous feat.

You can help spur Gareth on today by donating and leaving some words of support at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gareth-townsend