Bon Voyage, Rickard and Neil

Racing past their fundraising target as they cycled over 300km from London to Paris

On 11th July 2025, Rickard and Neil set off on their 3-day challenge – and what a challenge it was: cycling the Avenue Verte, the scenic route connecting London to Paris.

But they didn’t just want to do this as a personal challenge – they wanted it to have a purpose. We’d had the pleasure of Rickard volunteering with us during a GTI team away day, helping with Santa Stork one Christmas time.

He was also no stranger to sporting an orange cycling jersey for Stripey Stork. Back in 2021, a team from GTI took part in the London to Southend cycling event in support of Stripey Stork.

It turns out that was just the warm-up. So, along with his friend Neil, they were full of motivation to take on this epic adventure.

We cheered them on from near and far and were thrilled to hear when they had safely reached their destination. We’d arranged for them to receive congratulations cards and Stripey Stork medals – a small gesture to mark such a big achievement.

They shared their reflections (and plenty of photos) with us

Day 1 – London to Newhaven (ferry to Dieppe)

Day 2 – Dieppe to Gournay-en-Bray

“On both days, we covered over 90km – not too taxing – and even had time for leisurely lunches, which were wonderful.”

Day 3 – Gournay-en-Bray to Paris

“On this day we covered 136km, half of which was climbing with some tough interludes. But cycling up the Champs-Elysee to the Arc de Triomph and then on to the restored Notre Dame was truly memorable.

“It was an amazing experience – equally tough, exhausting, majestic and deeply satisfying. We got to see the finest of English and French countryside, with lots of different terrain from urban to national parks like the South Downs and the Vexin, and then of course ending in the City of Light.

“Along the way, we met a lot of very engaging and gracious people. This included a dad and his two sons from London who were also doing the Avenue Verte. We met them at the Boulangerie in Neufchatel-en-Bray and they sponsored us on the spot when they heard we were fundraising for Stripey Stork!”

We are so grateful to Rickard and Neil for choosing to take on such a meaningful and demanding challenge for Stripey Stork – and we thank everyone who supported them along the way. They’ve tripled their original target, currently raising an impressive £2,030 (including Gift Aid).

Link to donate: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/RickardNeilLondon2Paris2025

Feeling inspired?

If you’re thinking of taking on your own challenge for Stripey Stork, we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s through one of our Run4Charity challenge events, another organised event, or something you dream up yourself – email us at events@stripeystork.org.uk and let’s make it happen!