There’s just one month to go until three UK automotive industry leaders will cycle on water and ride the River Thames from its source to London, in the Epic Thames Waterbike Ride for Ben’s 2019 Industry Leader Challenge.
Marking the fourth year for the event, the challenge will team up Jon Wakefield, until recently managing director of Volvo Car UK and now heading up the firm’s Swedish national sales company, with Tim Tozer, CEO of Allianz Partners UK & Ireland and Darren Guiver, managing director of Group 1 Automotive.
The trio have been training since April to get ready for the challenge of their lives. The trio will be tackling 10+ hours of cycling per day, including on self-propelled Schiller waterbikes, from 4-7 July.
So far, over £142,000 has been raised through the challenge, for Ben to support automotive industry colleagues going through tough times. This amount is growing all the time and Jon, Tim and Darren are on track and determined to reach the fundraising target of £300,000.
This challenge, starting at Thames Head in Gloucestershire, ending in London, will be an incredible test of physical and mental endurance, as well as stamina, from start to finish.
Jon Wakefield said: “Training has been a real eye opener – you’d be surprised how much harder it is to cycle on water than land. That said, we’re really looking forward to riding the river for Ben. After all, the work the charity does for those in our industry is invaluable. Thank you to our kind supporters: your donations have been really generous. For those who haven’t yet donated, there’s still time – we really appreciate your support.”
Matt Wigginton, business development director at Ben, said: “Not long to go now until the epic waterbike ride begins – and we can’t wait to follow the guys on their journey. We will be watching on in awe as they peddle upstream and tackle over 10 hours a day for four days!
“We’re truly grateful to everyone who has donated so far – we can’t thank you enough. Please help Jon, Tim and Darren reach their target and smash last year’s ILC result! Cycling on water, on one of the busiest rivers in England is no small undertaking, so please give generously!
“We wish Tim, Jon and Darren all the best on their journey and want to thank them for supporting us, and the people of our industry, in such an epic way.”
To donate to this epic challenge, click here.
