The boss of a Wiltshire property consultancy is donning the Lycra to cycle a strenuous part of the Tour de France course for charity – for the second year running.
Philip Holford, Senior Partner at long- established Salisbury High Street firm Myddelton & Major is set to emulate Chris Froome by taking on the 520-mile Massif Challenge.
Half the cash raised will go to Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation and the other half to local charities nominated by his four-person team, the Property Pedlars.
Last year Philip celebrated his 50th birthday by successfully completing a 450-mile cycling challenge, including the famous leg-burning Alpe d’Huez climb, to raise £6,700 for charity.
He said: “It was tough going and exhausting in difficult conditions for a first-timer, but I really enjoyed the exhilaration of undertaking the challenge and found it hugely rewarding so I thought ‘why not do it again’.”
“The Massif challenge covers 520 miles in three days and involves my team of four cycling in pairs and in relay from St Malo, through Normandy to the Loire Valley, then ascending towards the Massif Central region and finishing at Clemont-Ferrand.
“Our route will follow Stages 3, 4 & 5 of this year’s Tour de France over three days from September 29 to October 1.
“Our itinerary is Day 1, St Malo to Angers – 170 miles; Day 2, Angers to Limoges – 200 miles and Day 3, Limoges to Clemont-Ferrand – 150 miles, so not much time for sightseeing.”
Keen mountain biker Philip will be riding a Merida 400 road cycle for the challenge organised by Hampshire-based voluntary organisation Challenge Adventure Charities – with every penny raised going to good causes because participants pay their own entry costs.
The other three members of his team are Allan Hilder, Steve Skinner and James Prowse. They have been training hard since before the summer.
Last year the Property Pedlars club team raised more than £20,000, which enabled them to give individual grants to the children’s cancer wards at Salisbury and Southampton Hospitals.
To support Philip’s cycling effort visit his Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/Philip-Holford2
Alternatively, cheques made payable to “Challenge Adventure Charities” can be sent to him at his office.
