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Countrystyle Recycling raises £50,000 for Maidstone charity The Young Lives after Paris bike ride

A team of plucky cyclists have completed the trip of a lifetime by pedalling from Pluckley to Paris to raise money for young people in care.

Despite getting their first puncture before the team had even reached the Channel crossing at Dover - the pelaton powered through the 260 miles to reach France’s capital on the challenge’s third day.

The team were not deterred by a puncture near Dover and went on to ride the 260 miles to Paris. Pictures: Maxim PR
The team were not deterred by a puncture near Dover and went on to ride the 260 miles to Paris. Pictures: Maxim PR

The cycle, organised by Countrystyle Recycling, had aimed to raise £35,000 for Maidstone-based charity The Young Lives which helps provide life-changing mentoring, befriending and activity programmes across Kent for young people in care.

But as the 19-strong team were chalking off the final 40 miles to Paris and the Eiffel Tower on their final day, word reached them that they had smashed through their initial target and the fundraising pot had hit £50,000.

Cheered on by a support team which accompanied them on a Countrystyle vehicle, they kept track of the cyclists via GPS and took charge of carrying food and water through rural France where refreshment stops were few and far between.

Countrystyle Recycling’s chief executive Martin Heathcote, who was among the riders, said: “It was a journey full of ups and downs, but we made memories to last a lifetime.

“We smashed our original target thanks to all the generous people who donated.

The group raised more than £50,000. Picture: Maxim PR
The group raised more than £50,000. Picture: Maxim PR

“So far, we’ve raised more than £50,000 which is completely overwhelming.

“The help this will give to these children really is life-changing and will make a massive impact. I’m so grateful for people really getting behind us to make this a truly memorable moment – arriving at the Eiffel Tower together as one team made me extremely proud.”

Anyone wishing to donate to their effort should click here.

The return journey proved significantly easier for the exhausted group as their bikes were collected from Paris by a 7.5 tonne Countrystyle truck while they hopped on the Eurostar train back to England.

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