Cyclists Smash £50,000 Fundraising Target Cycling from Bristol to Bordeaux

CYCLISTS from across the South West have smashed their £50,000 fundraising target by cycling from Bristol to Bordeaux.

A group of 59 riders left Bristol on June 13 and arrived in Bordeaux four days later (June 17), after cycling 500-miles on the gruelling Pedal For Props charity challenge.

Their aim was to raise funds for the Bristol-based charity, PROPS, which provides opportunities and support for those with special needs.

All the committed riders from Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North Somerset completed the ride arriving in Bordeaux's main square to an echo of cheers on Saturday afternoon.

Among the riders were Props students Stuart Moss, 18, Frank LeMoir, 20 and Matthew Robinson, 19, with Stuart taking part in the ride for the first time giving in order to gain  vital life experiences.

Together the team raised over £50,000 for Props, which does not receive public funding and instead relies on donations and fundraising initiatives.

Matthew Eccles, a regular Props cyclist, said the event was a huge success with some riders already committing to the 2013 event.

He said: "This year's Bristol to Bordeaux challenge was definitely one of the toughest yet.

"We had all sorts of weather thrown at us but nonetheless our students and riders successfully covered the 500-miles.

"We are incredible grateful to them and the support team for working so hard to help improve the lives of young people with learning difficulties."

The Bristol to Bordeaux bike ride was the brainchild of David Reeves, head of Briarwood's sixth form, who founded the organisation at The Vassall Centre more than a decade ago.

He said: "We realised there needed to be some sort of structure in place to help students develop their lifelong learning pathways when they finish in formal education, so we set up Props.

"We're not reliant on public funding, which is very difficult to come by. Most of our funding is generated by fundraising, and by ensuring the work the students do with us – mostly in social enterprises like sign making, printing and farm based activity – actually draws a profit, albeit a modest one.

"There is absolutely nothing like getting on a good stretch of open road on the way down through France and seeing these young guys enjoying the freedom of that kind of cycling. It makes all the hard work that goes into organising this well worth every moment."

Anyone interested in taking part in the Pedal for PROPS 2013 Bristol to Bordeaux challenge should email info@propsforward.org or call Props on 0117 9653514.