Shirley Parsons Team Completes London to Paris Charity Cycle Ride for Leukaemia UK

What began as an idea earlier this year became an unforgettable four-day journey, as the Shirley Parsons team completed its London to Paris Charity Cycle Ride, raising vital funds for Leukaemia UK as part of our 21st anniversary fundraising campaign.

After months of planning, training and fundraising, the Shirley Parsons team has successfully completed its London to Paris Charity Cycle Ride, travelling more than 380 kilometres from the Lee Valley Velodrome in London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Organised by Fraser McLachlan and Sophie Smith from our Sustainability team, the challenge brought together colleagues, clients and industry connections to support Leukaemia UK, a charity with a particularly close and personal connection to the business.

Several riders also took the opportunity to support charities close to their own hearts, including the Tony Hudgell Foundation and Ovarian Cancer Action, making the challenge a meaningful way to give back to causes that mattered personally to those taking part.

The Journey to Paris.

The route took the team from the Lee Valley Velodrome through the South Downs, across the English Channel and into the heart of northern France before finishing beneath the Eiffel Tower.

Over four days, the riders experienced everything the challenge had to offer. They conquered Ditchling Beacon, enjoyed the quiet roads and rolling countryside of northern France, passed through picturesque towns including Forges-les-Eaux and La Roche-Guyon, sampled local cider, stopped for crêpes at a former railway station and even cooled off with an impromptu swim in the River Epte during one of the hottest days of the ride.

There were also plenty of memorable moments beyond the cycling itself. An early café stop introduced the group to a welcoming deaf café owner who patiently taught everyone sign language while serving coffee and cake, while evenings spent sharing good food, stories and well-earned refreshments became just as memorable as the kilometres covered each day.

Reflecting on the challenge, Fraser said:

"Back in February, what started as an idea to organise a London to Paris cycle ride turned into an incredible weekend that I'll genuinely never forget. The laughs, the encouragement, the scenery, the hills, the punctures, the questionable off-track routes and, of course, the beers and food at the end made it a proper adventure. But ultimately, it wasn't really about the miles – it was about the people, the conversations, the challenges and the memories we made along the way, all while raising money and awareness for a cause that means a lot to us."

The People Behind the Miles

While the physical challenge was significant, it was the people who made the journey truly memorable.

Representing Shirley Parsons were Fraser McLachlan, Paul Roebuck, Mike Roebuck and Sophie Smith, joined by Peter Tayar-Watson,Tom O’Reilly,Graham Aspinall,Ian Aspinall,Rosie Brown and Anett Karsai. By the end of the four days, colleagues, clients and industry connections had become a close-knit team, united by shared experiences, plenty of laughter and a common purpose.

Whether encouraging one another up steep climbs, celebrating reaching the top of Ditchling Beacon, navigating the occasional wrong turn, fixing punctures or sharing stories over dinner at the end of each day, the camaraderie became one of the defining memories of the trip.

Sophie said:

"The laughs, the good food, good drinks and amazing people. From all different walks of life but gelling together instantly was perfect. The sheer determination from everyone to keep going the whole time is what I'll remember most."

For Mike Roebuck, it was that same sense of togetherness that stood out above everything else:

"The camaraderie shared amongst everyone on the ride is what I'll remember most."

Doing Good.

Completing the ride was a remarkable achievement, but its impact extends far beyond the finish line. Reflecting on the challenge, Paul Roebuck, Group CEO of Shirley Parsons, said:

"One of our core values at Shirley Parsons is 'Do Good', and this challenge brought that to life. Seeing colleagues, clients and friends come together to raise thousands of pounds for causes that mean so much to everyone involved has been incredibly special. I'm immensely proud of everyone who took part and everyone who supported the team along the way."

Together, the riders have raised over £13,000 for charity. Every donation will help fund vital research and provide support for people and families affected by leukaemia, while other riders have also made a meaningful contribution to charities close to their own hearts.

A huge thank you goes to everyone who donated, shared the team’s journey, offered encouragement and followed their progress throughout the challenge. Your generosity helped transform an ambitious idea into an unforgettable achievement that will continue making a difference long after the finish line.

The journey may be over, but there’s still a chance to make a difference. Every donation helps Leukaemia UK continue its vital work supporting people and families affected by leukaemia.