Exeter to Paris (and all that lies between... including Roscoff)
Two friends are taking on the challenge of cycling from Exeter to Paris (via Roscoff) to raise funds for local charity Hospiscare. Leif Tarry and Dave Clift will set off from the hospice in Dryden Road tomorrow (Friday 16 May) on the start their 525 mile challenge.
Dave and Leif have calculated that the challenge will take roughly a week to complete; this is if they stick to their 75 miles a day.
Dave and Leif have been actively fundraising for a couple of months with the help of Leif’s partner, Mary, who has been holding cake sales galore to help boost the boys fundraising total which currently stands at a tremendous £1,905.
Mary said: “The fundraising is so much fun and the response from the people locally has been tremendous and so generous. The hospice has played a large part in both their lives over the last five years and the boys wanted to repay a little of the kindness that they received from the hospice.”
Both Leif and Dave have personal reasons for undertaking this challenge. Leif lost his father five years ago and his last days were spent in the hospice. It was a great comfort not only to his late father but to the family as a whole.
Dave lost his partner in June 2013 and she spent her last days in the hospice. Similarly a great deal of comfort and dignity was maintained throughout.
As if the challenge of cycling the distance from Exeter to Paris wasn’t enough, they’ve decided to cycle the length of the Granite Way on Dartmoor on a tandem bike! With Leif standing at 6”4 and Dave 6”2 ...a tandem bike will not be the comfiest of options.
They are also hoping that Brittany Ferries will let them carry on with their fundraising by allowing them to set up their turbo trainer to earn a few extra pounds en route!
Events Fundraiser Celia Wilkinson said: “Their challenge isn’t just the sheer physical endurance of cycling long distances day after day; it’s also the challenge of planning your route and not giving up!
‘’I’m always so impressed with fundraisers who undertake these types of challenges; the training, preparation and fundraising alongside full time jobs, families and everyday life is very impressive and we’re so grateful.”
To make a donation to Dave and Leif’s amazing cycle challenge please visit www.justgiving.com/ Leifanddave-Exeter-To-Paris1/ or follow them on twitter to be kept up to date with their antics @ParisLeifDave.
If this has inspired you to take up a challenge in 2014 but you’re not sure where to start or what you could do, please contact Celia at Hospiscare on 01392 688052 or email c.wilkinson@hospiscare.co.uk
