Velo Trois Mer: 1,400km cycled for Rising Sun

Group shot

An international group of family and one special friend Jim from the UK, Belgium and Australia undertook a 1,400km fund raising cycle event for Rising Sun.

After witnessing the specialist support that their daughter received from Rising Sun as she fled a domestic abuse relationship, Gill and Simon, alongside friends and family, set themselves a formidable challenge to cycle from Canterbury to South of France to raise funds for the local charity.

Starting in Canterbury, the group of family & friends cycled 1,400km over three weeks experiencing head winds and rain, partnered with extreme heat and many sunny days. This rollercoaster of weather was accompanied by the best of company, good food and wine, and beautiful scenery before they reached their finish line in Narbonne, South of France.

Gill shared:

“The ride was at times tough. We all kept going by not only the love and support amongst the group but by remembering why we were undergoing the challenge, keeping women and their families in our hearts.

We were overwhelmed by the generosity of friends and family all over the world who made donations to Rising Sun, including a few we met along the journey who stopped us, curious about the Rising Sun logo. 

Our own precious daughter escaped an abusive relationship and thanks to the unfailing support from Rising Sun she slowly began her journey of recovery.

We are forever indebted to the support Rising Sun provided, undergoing this challenge was our way of saying thank you and we know the donations raised will be well invested in your invaluable services.”

Together, the group of family and friends raised an incredible £1,449 (plus Gift Aid) for Rising Sun through their amazing fundraising challenge. Their fundraising could help to provide just over 50 hours of specialist one-to-one counselling for women rebuilding their life following the trauma of domestic abuse.

The fantastic group of cyclists documented their entire cycle, which you can enjoy here!

Emma, Rising Sun’s Community Fundraiser shared:

“We are so grateful and appreciative to groups such as Velo Trois Mer for taking on such incredible challenges to raise funds to help our local charity continue to provide invaluable support to women and children living with and overcoming domestic abuse.”

If their cycle from Canterbury to the South of France has inspired you to take on a challenge for Rising Sun, learn more about how you can get involved and raise vital funds for survivors of domestic abuse.