Suits and business attire will give way to lycra and high-vis clothing later this month as a team of solicitors and business services staff at leading commercial law firm Thrings attempt to cycle from Bristol to Paris to raise much-needed funds for Bristol’s hospital charity, Above & Beyond.
Ten cyclists from Thrings’ Bristol office will make up the 80-strong team of local businesses, clinicians and patient families who are taking on the 430km cycle challenge to the French capital. Together their aim is to raise £150,000 for a new state-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound for Bristol children’s hospital.
Departing from Bristol on 29 April, the team will make its way through the Somerset countryside towards Salisbury and on to Portsmouth. After crossing the Channel, they will head towards Évreux before arriving in Paris four days later.
Colin Stratton, head of Thrings’ Bristol office and a member of the firm’s cycling team, said: “Each member of the team recognises the scale and magnitude of the challenge that lies ahead. Everyone is totally committed to making a difference to the lives of the 350 children from across Bristol and the South West with life-limiting heart conditions who need life-saving surgery at Bristol children’s hospital every year.
“While Above & Beyond is the Bristol office’s charity of the year, all four of Thrings’ offices have thrown their weight behind the fundraising effort. The firm, its clients and its referrers have all done their bit, supporting initiatives such as an auction evening, a sponsored static bike challenge, cakes sales and an office quiz. With the firm’s charity committee also agreeing to match any money raised, this has truly been a team effort and we are delighted to have already beaten our £20,000 fundraising target.”
Lorna Clarke, head of corporate partnerships at Above & Beyond, added: “We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the commitment and support of the team at Thrings and everyone who has come together to train, fundraise and take on this remarkable challenge. It’s incredibly inspiring to see so many people unite in a common cause knowing that their support will give local children with complex heart conditions a greater chance of enjoying a normal and active childhood.”
To find out more information about the Above & Beyond Bristol to Paris Challenge, or to make a donation to Team Thrings, please click here.
