Talbots staff get on their bikes to smash £30,000 fundraising target for Birmingham Children’s Hospital

The intrepid quartet, which featured Keith Yates, Peter Hill, Callum Haynes and Matt Wistow, donned their lycra to take part in the challenge that ended under the watchful gaze of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Between them they successfully raised nearly £12,000, taking the independent Black Country law firm’s fundraising efforts for BCH to £35,000 in eight months, with a number of activities still set to take place in 2018.

This means the company’s £30,000 target has been smashed, with the fundraising going towards lifesaving equipment for the fleet of four KIDS/NTS ambulances.

These are mobile intensive care units contained within an ambulance and provide emergency specialist transport for critically ill babies and children across the region.

“It was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, with plenty of highs and lows,” explained Callum Haynes, director at Talbots Law.

“However, I couldn’t have wished to complete the 300-mile challenge with a better group of people. In addition to my colleagues, we were also joined by a mix of doctors, surgeons and parents, all of whom have been to, or know someone that has been supported by Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

He continued: “To tell the truth, there were a few tears shed once we reached Paris, but the talk was already about the next test of endurance, with Amsterdam being mentioned more than once.”

Talbots staff set off from Crystal Palace in London, before cycling through Kent to Dover.

From there they boarded the ferry to Calais and then continued the journey through Abbeville, Beauvais and on to Paris over the course of four days, riding for more than 50 hours in total.

Peter Hill, head of compliance at Talbots Law, was equally emotional about the journey:

“Skyline Events, who provided first class support throughout the challenge, has a mission statement that states ‘changing lives through life changing events’.

“I now know that this is true as I feel all of the participants have had their lives changed and enriched by completing this event. The sense of personal achievement on arrival in Paris was immense - great camaraderie, great food, great scenery and all done for a truly inspirational charity.”

“It was hard work, fun at times and an emotional finish” said Keith Yates, Director & Head of Residential Property.

“My son-in-law Steve Kenny, who rode with us, also raised much-needed funds for the charity, and to complete the challenge together was a proud moment I will never forget.”

Talbots, which has six offices across the Black Country and Worcestershire, is not finished there, with Chrissie Green, Ruth Hayes, Sophie Fraser and Sarah Rooney currently in training for the Birmingham Half Marathon in October.

Sarah has even secured a place in next year’s London Marathon.

To donate please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/talbotssnowdon. For further information, go to www.talbotslaw.co.uk or follow @talbotslaw on twitter. More details on Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity can be found at www.bch.org.uk or at @bham_childrens