A water-cycling challenge undertaken by three automotive leaders has seen more than £202,000 raised so far for automotive industry charity, Ben – with the total still rising.
The event – held under for Ben’s 2019 Industry Leader Challenge – saw Tim Tozer, CEO of Allianz Partners UK & Ireland, Jon Wakefield, who heads up Volvo’s Swedish national sales company and Darren Guiver, managing director of Group 1 Automotive, cycle from Thames Head to London on the River Thames.
The challenge was over 171 miles long, with an average of around 12 hours cycled each day, while one day necessitated a gruelling 13.5 hours in the saddle – from Folly Bridge in Oxford to Caversham Lock in Reading.
The trio cycled on water on self-propelled Schiller waterbikes until they reached the tidal Thames at Teddington, where they continued the last leg of their journey cycling on land until they reached the Thames barrier – the finish point.
The trio have set a fundraising target of £300,000, which will be used to support automotive industry people going through tough times.
Matt Wigginton, business development director at Ben, said: “We are in complete awe of Tim, Jon and Darren for taking on such an epic challenge to raise money for Ben. Cycling on water for over 10 hours a day on one of the busiest rivers in England is extremely tough! We really appreciate the support from all at Volvo Car UK, Allianz Partners UK & Ireland and Group 1 Automotive. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you from everyone at Ben, you guys are all amazing! The next Industry Leader Challengers (for 2020) have big shoes to fill that’s for sure.”
To donate to the challenge, click here.
