TWO GROUPS of intrepid cyclists from a Coventry business covered over 500 miles between them in support of The Royal British Legion.
The cyclists from the Coventry Building Society decided to mark the centenary year, cycling in remembrance of the First World War generation and raising over £4,000 for the charity.
A team of six cyclists from across the company joined the Legion’s Pedal to Paris event and cycled over 280 miles from London to Paris between August 30 and September 3.
Another team of three cyclists from the building society cycled 262 miles between August 30 and September 2 from the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The teams also stopped at other remembrance sites including the Cenotaph in London and Coventry’s Memorial Park.
They were joined by nine colleagues at Coventry Cathedral for the final leg to the National Memorial Arboretum.
The society held an event in partnership with The Royal British Legion to remember the Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in the First World War.
One of the company’s team for Pedal to Paris Matthew Ryan said: “Pedal to Paris was an incredible experience.
“The opportunity to meet, talk and also cycle with some of the people whose lives have been changed with help from The Royal British Legion was both humbling and inspirational.
“The rest of the team from the Society were a massive help, so a big thank you to them.
“I feel very fortunate and proud to have represented Coventry Building Society and to have raised funds for The Royal British Legion”.
Head of corporate partnerships Ben France from the Royal British Legion said: “The First World War left so many legacies that positively impact our lives today, from ground-breaking social change to pioneering innovations.
“The end of the centenary is a chance for us all to thank not only the British Armed Forces who fought and gave their lives, but the thousands who fought alongside them from countries from across today’s Commonwealth, and the countless men, women and children who played their part on the home front.”
