Motor industry executive completes gruelling charity cycling endeavour
Geoff Cousins, current chairman of quality management provider G&P, as well as at cancer charity Cure Leukaemia, has successfully completed an exhilarating charity cycle ride from London to Paris for the second time.
Geoff, the former managing director of Jaguar UK, embarked on the challenging 500km journey to raise funds and awareness for the life-saving work of Cure Leukaemia.
The prestigious cycling event took place from 8 June to 12 June, commencing at the iconic Greenwich Observatory and concluding at the magnificent Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Geoff joined a determined peloton of 150 cyclists, all driven by a shared mission to generate £150,000 in support of Cure Leukaemia. The collective pot currently stands at £212,000, £62,000 more than the target goal.
This year's event marked Geoff's second participation in the London to Paris ride, showcasing his unwavering commitment to the cause. Despite a tumble on the first day, Geoff's determination remained unshaken. Having trained relentlessly for months, he was compelled to conquer the challenge and raise the needed funds for Leukaemia research.
Geoff's fundraising efforts this year reached an impressive milestone, as he rallied support and raised an outstanding £2,300 for Cure Leukaemia.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, Geoff remarked, "Participating in the London to Paris bike ride is a deeply meaningful experience for me. I've had the privilege of meeting incredible individuals through the charity, and their strength and determination inspire me every day. Gio, the 82-year-old man who completed the expedition for the twelfth time was a personal highlight and inspiration for me.
“We were covering around 75 miles a day with around 6-7 hours in the saddle. I naively thought my second ride would be easier than the first, but with so many hills throughout the ride I was quickly reminded how difficult it is, especially when it 's 30� Celsius.
“I 'm not sure how Matt Gaut managed to run the entire course on foot, the equivalent of completing three marathons in one day. I was also very impressed with the research nurse manager and a haematology consultant from the University Hospital of Wales, who were completing the ride for their first time too, it really helped get our message out through the medical community. ”
Among the other 150 riders, was another senior motor industry executive, George Ashford, CEO of Inchcape who supplied a fleet of support vehicles for the event to ensure the riders ' safety and wellbeing.
The funds raised through the London to Paris ride contribute to the national Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP), which supports specialist research nurses across 15 cities. These dedicated professionals facilitate pioneering blood cancer clinical trials, providing patients with access to potentially life-saving treatments not currently available through standard care.
Geoff expressed his gratitude to all those who have supported his challenge and invites others to contribute to his cause by visiting his JustGiving page.
Click here for further information about the London to Paris charity ride.