From East Clandon to Paris – Charity Cyclists Complete Epic 24-hour Challenge

Published on: 24 Jun, 2025
Updated on: 24 Jun, 2025

The team at their final destination

A team of cyclists is celebrating after completing the ride of their lives to raise money for Cherry Trees – the charity that provides home-from-home respite care for children with disabilities.

The 13 cyclists arrived at their final destination – the Eiffel Tower in Paris – less than 24 hours after they set off from the Cherry Trees headquarters in East Clandon.

Along the way they faced a range of challenges, including very little sleep, very hot weather and physical and mental exhaustion.

They reached the end with 27 minutes to spare – completing their epic feat in 23 hours and 33 minutes.

So far, their sponsorship total has hit £19,282 to help support the children and families who use Cherry Trees.

The riders set off at 4pm on Thursday, June 19, and tackled the first part of the journey through the Surrey and Sussex countryside, arriving at Newhaven Ferry Port in time to board the 11pm ferry to Dieppe.

After a few hours of rest on board, they hit the roads in France at 4.45am UK time to take on the final long stretch to Paris. The total route was 279km.

The team – who received a special good luck video message from cycling legend Sir Mark Cavendish – were joined on the route by a support minibus.

The bus carried supplies to help them along the way, including suncream, bicycle repair kits and lots of snacks.

Along the way the team coped with two punctures and one broken chain.

Among the snacks they needed to keep refuelled, they ate:

40 flapjacks
26 croissants
24 pains au chocolat
24 bananas
12 tangerines

It is the first time the charity has taken on such an ambitious challenge, and the fundraising team is hoping to build on the success of the inaugural ride with future cycling events.

Rob Hope, Cherry Trees’ head of fundraising, was part of the cycling team, which also included some of the charity’s trustees as well local supporters.

He said: “We are over the moon to have made it. It was very hard at times along the way and we’re all absolutely exhausted, but it’s been a great team effort and we’re thrilled we’ve arrived in Paris and have raised so much for Cherry Trees.

“It was very hot and while it was tough both physically and mentally, that is nothing compared with the challenges our children and their families face in their day-to-day lives.

“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part, supported us and cheered us on. You really have made a massive difference.”