A team of 27 riders have completed Transaid’s first cycle challenge of the year, tackling a 225 km ride from Dorking to the Isle of Wight, raising vital funds for the international development organisation’s road safety and access to healthcare projects across sub-Saharan Africa.
Over two days in the saddle, the group collectively raised more than £41,000, including a generous amount donated by event sponsors Dawsongroup and Stanley Travel. Lucketts Travel supported riders with complimentary return coach travel for all participants.
The challenge began with a climb of the iconic Box Hill, as featured in the 2012 London Olympics, before continuing over 120 km to the Portsmouth-Fishbourne ferry. Day 2 followed a 106 km bucket list loop of the beautiful Isle of Wight, taking in testing climbs, sweeping descents, and a constantly changing backdrop of seaside villages, chalk cliffs, wooded glens, and historic landmarks.
Anna Giavedoni, Events Manager at Transaid, says: “This challenge was no leisurely ride around the island, but as always, our cyclists dug deep and the beauty of the route and the good cause they were all supporting helped to distract from its difficulty! We are always so impressed by the passion and commitment shown by our cycle challenge participants, and indebted to them for their commitment to both fundraising and putting in the hard work in the saddle.
“The unrestricted funds raised from events like these allow us to launch new pilot projects with the potential to transform and save lives. We’re now looking ahead to our second cycle challenge in 2026 coming up this autumn, when a group of riders will take on our Kilimanjaro to Coast challenge in Tanzania.”
Participants represented 10 companies from across the transport and logistics industry, including Asset Alliance Group, Backhouse Jones, Dawsongroup, GXO, Iron Mountain, IVECO, The Malcolm Group, NewCold, Stanley Travel and TRS Tyres.