Village Cyclist

Not content with cycling around The Village, Stuart Insall from The Edgbaston Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge on Highfield Road in Edgbaston, was one of the 250 people who completed the 500 kilometre London 2 Paris cycle challenge at the end of June. The aim was to help raise £2 million in 2 years for Cure Leukaemia, which will provide funding for new drug and transplant treatments for up to 30,000 people and help save lives.

Covering around 80 miles a day and averaging 20mph, Stuart and all the riders including Geof Thomas and George Lineker, a fellow leukaemia survivor and son of former England striker and Match of the Day presenter Gary, cycled for 4 consecutive days taking on some challenging climbs as they cycled from London to Paris.  They were spurred on by the great cause and the cheering crowds as they cycled to the Arc de Triomphe and finished under the Eiffel Tower.

Stuart Insall of The Edgbaston said: “It was an amazing experience and very humbling. We cycled with people who have or have had leukaemia or who’ve been really affected by it, as well as able bodied cyclists.

He went on to add, “I was inspired to undertake the challenge after speaking to Professor Charlie Craddock and Geoff Thomas, who encouraged me to visit the Centre for Clinical Haematology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital which is just around the corner from The Edgbaston. I could see first-hand the direct impact the money raising efforts would make, as a result I signed up for the challenge to help them reach their target. However, it is not just about one bike ride and there is still a way to go to reach the £2 million target, I am therefore keen to ensure we continue to support this amazing fund for Cure Leukaemia, which really does help to change people’s and their families lives.

A half hour documentary on the Cure Leukaemia London 2 Paris bike ride will get its first airing at 10am on Sunday 5th July on Eurosport.

You can still donate to this amazing cause, go to: www.justgiving.com/stuart-insall1/

To see the video of a bit of light hearted fun the cyclist and support crew had along the route, click here