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Tour de Sez riders get ready for the start line

Tour de Sez riders get ready for the start line
The largest Tour de Sez ever is now just a few weeks away with riders making final preparations for the 700 mile charity bike ride.
 
The 84 riders are eager to get the challenge underway after months of training for the endurance bike ride. The event which will see cyclists ride from Guernsey to Amsterdam is taking place from the 7th – 16th September and will be raising money for The Sarah Groves Foundation.
 
The Foundation and Tour de Sez were created in memory of Sarah Groves who was tragically killed in 2013. This year the Tour de Sez team have an ambitious fundraising target with the Foundation pledging to put £50,000 of the funds towards the Children’s Library Project at the Guille-Alles Library. The riders, who are regularly seen out training in black, yellow and orange jerseys, have been working hard for donations with Andre De Carteret’s impressive 24 hour cycle challenge, Boaty McBoatface’s voyage to Sark, The Freewheeler Festival and the Runway Ride, an example of some of the higher profile fundraising events.
 
Of the 84 riders signed up to take on the challenge, six are employees from headline sponsor First Central Group, the parent company of leading UK motor insurance provider 1ST CENTRAL.  Shareholder Ken Acott and Chief Executive Officer Simon Walker both successfully completed the Tour in 2016 and are riding again this year, alongside Chief Commercial Officer, Andy James.
 
First Central Services Operations Manager and part of the Tour’s organising team, Lisa Vidamour, said: “I’m counting down the days till the big trip, we’re all incredibly proud to be supporting this event again. It’s great to have so many members of the First Central team on the road, everyone wants to be a part of the journey, even those not taking an active role are being hugely helpful and supportive.”
 
Tour organiser, Gary Hooks said: “We have everyone from novice riders to athletes taking part in this year’s challenge. It’s going to be a great 10 days raising money for a charity that helps young people in Guernsey, anyway it can. Our riders are regular people doing something extraordinary for a good cause and we hope the people of Guernsey can see this and help us reach our target.”
 
The Sarah Groves Foundation Managing Trustee, Vic Groves, said: “Sarah was a firm believer in living life to the full and the Tour de Sez embodies this. The past two tours have been extraordinary both for the Foundation and the riders taking part. We are excited to get the 2018 event underway.”
 
The 100 strong Tour de Sez team, 84 riders and 16 support crew, will set off on the 7th September via ferry to St Malo and from there their first ride will see them cycle 42 miles to Avranches.
 
The Sarah Groves Foundation was set up by Sarah’s parents, Vic and Kate Groves, and focusses on raising funds to enhance young Guernsey lives by creating better opportunities and experiences for future generations.
 
To make a donation pedal over to The Sarah Groves Foundation Just Giving page.

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