On 20 August, seven of MPM’s staff joined more than 20 friends and family members to embark on a 250-mile cycle challenge from London to Paris.

The challenge team of 18 cyclists, supported by an eight-person back-up crew, followed the Avenue Verte route from Central London, over the South Downs to Newhaven, before crossing by ferry to Dieppe and then on to Paris.

The team cycled through towns, villages and beautiful countryside on both sides of the Channel, using a mixture of on road and traffic-free cycle trails along river paths and disused former railway lines.

None of those taking part were experienced cyclists, and many had never cycled more than a few miles before any training started six months earlier. What they lacked in experience, however, they made up for in enthusiasm.

With fair winds, few punctures – although one unlucky cyclist had 5 punctures in just one day – and a good physio, they arrived at the steps of Notre Dame just five days later on Sunday 24 August.

Several charities benefited from the event, including, The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Cancer Research UK, Foundation for Liver Research and On Course Foundation providing long-term benefits for injured service personnel and veterans through golf, and we would like to thank all those who sponsored our cyclists in this fantastic achievement and worthy causes.