Linden Homes Duo Gearing Up For Gruelling 300-Mile Charity Cycle (South East)
27 Mar 2013

A fundraiser who works for Linden Homes South East is preparing to embark on a gruelling 300-mile charity bike ride from London to Paris.

Ian Wilkins (44), who is a customer service manager and lives in Shepperton, Surrey, is aiming to raise £1,500 for the Institute of Cancer Research, which is a world leader in isolating cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted cancer drugs.

Ian will be pedalling alongside Chris Lary (31), from Guildford, who is a buyer for Linden Homes Guildford and is himself raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions.

They will set off on June 19th and hope to reach the French capital within three to four days. The first day will cover 98 miles, and Ian said: “This will be my toughest challenge to date.”

Ian is an experienced fundraiser having previously collected money for the Princes Trust and the Variety Club. He is married with one son and enjoys golf, football and cycling – although this will be his longest distance ride so he has already started training.

He said: “Covering between 80 to 100 miles a day will be difficult and if the weather is bad it’s going to be even harder. But it’s for two fantastic causes and I reckon our legs will ache a little bit less for every pound we raise for both our charities!”

Chris added: “The challenge is a good excuse to train and the route will let us see parts of France you would not normally see. It’s going to be tough but it will also be a brilliant experience.”

Linden Homes South East managing director Steve Bangs added: “I’m very proud to see even more Linden Homes employees doing their bit for the community. It’s going to be gruelling but I’m sure Ian and Chris will be up to the task. We’re backing them all the way!”

Ian’s chosen charity, the Institute of Cancer Research, employs around 1,000 staff and postgraduate students, and last year had an income of £86.6 million. It works closely with funding organisations, including Cancer Research UK and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation was established in the UK in 1986 and has since granted more than 8,300 wishes. This year it will be granting over 1,100 wishes, for which it needs to raise £7 million funding.

To contribute to Ian and Chris’ fundraising efforts go online to www.justgiving.com/Ian-Wilkins and www.justgiving.com/Chris-Lary3.

-ENDS-

For further information, contact Sam Nickerson or Louise Perfect at Remarkable Public Relations on 01962 893 893 or email sam.nickerson@remarkablegroup.co.uk; louise.perfect@remarkablegroup.co.uk

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