GMG 'Power of 10' pedal their way from London to Paris in aid of Shelter!

Staff from across GMG Property Services, parent company of CFP - leading lettings agency software provider, took on the ultimate cycling challenge and have successfully completed the London to Paris Bike Ride!

Otherwise known as ‘The GMG Power of 10’, Beverley Szczech, Amy Tricklebank, Helen Warner, James Toogood, Ben Harding, Damian Haydon, Alasdair Swanson, Daniel Martin, Chris Wray and Ed Mardell all trained hard to ensure they were saddle ready for the event.

The group – unfortunately minus one member - set off from London very early on Friday 24th June and cycled through the picturesque Kent countryside before getting the ferry crossing into France and spending the night in Dieppe. The Saturday was spent cycling through historic towns and sleepy villages in Normandy before coming to rest in Gounay en Bray. On the Sunday, the group made their final descent into Paris before finishing at the city’s most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, late afternoon.

Organiser, Beverley Szczech, commented: “It was hard work, but a fantastic experience and as a group, we achieved our ultimate goal, despite there being a few emotions on the way. There were lots of hills, particularly through the Kent countryside, but lots of laughs too! We saw some beautiful scenery, but nothing more beautiful than seeing the Eiffel Tower and knowing we had done it! This has really inspired me and I am already looking for my next challenge!

James Toogood, the official GMG Power of 10 Tweeter, said: “Despite the many 5.30am alarm calls and cycling in heat wave conditions on the last day, it was an amazing feeling cycling up to the Eiffel Tower and it was a great team effort all round. Thank you to everyone who supported us and sent encouraging messages along the way, which kept us all going.”

Mark Goddard, Group Managing Director of GMG Property Services, said: “Well done to our GMG Power of 10 team for taking on and successfully completing such a grueling challenge. It was an immense team effort, which they should all be rightly proud of.

“We are coming to the end of our two-year partnership with Shelter and fundraising has varied from madcap activities, such as the London Marathon and the Vertical Challenge, to car washing, skittles nights, quiz nights, cake sales and bag packing in M&S. The London to Paris Bike Ride was our grand finale and we are very pleased to announce that we have raised well over £15,000, with more still to come in. A big well done and thank you to everyone who has been involved, no matter how big or small the contribution.

“Shelter is a hugely important charity cause and we are pleased to do our small part to help Shelter with its fight against homelessness and bad housing.”

To see how the team got on with their training and photos along the way, go to our Facebook page or check out our Twitter page.