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Visit the charity's profileIn 2012, our trustee Danny Turnbull decided to take on the Hotchillee London to Paris Challenge riding to the French capital in just three days. The event, aimed at experienced cyclists, was not considered feasible for hand cyclists. Danny thought otherwise.
Alongside a team from Stewarts and Stoke Mandeville, National Spinal Injuries Centre, he began training. The organisers were initially worried about their low average speed and whether they'd be able to ride with the group, but Danny's team worked hard and got themselves up to a level where they could go the distance.
When the challenge finally came around, every team member found themselves pushed to the limit. They experienced terrible weather, missed their ferry to Calais and had very little sleep. At one point, it looked like they might not make it on time to join the main pack of riders into Paris.
On the final day, the team reached their goal and surpassed all expectations. Danny and his team became the first ever handcyclists to complete the challenge. They pioneered the event for other handcyclists taking part in years to come. Danny's participation had a huge impact on all other riders who took part by proving just what was possible for people with a spinal cord injury.
Anyone involved in London to Paris 2012 cannot fail to have been changed. I was in a uniquely privileged position to witness first-hand the true meaning of mind over matter. Danny exhibited grit, determination, inner-strength, yet I also saw good grace when faced with adversity - Juliette Clark, Ride Captain for Hotchillee
In 2017, Danny very sadly passed away at the age of 43 after an ongoing battle with cancer. In 2018, Back Up partnered with Hotchillee for the London to Paris Challenge, as a way of remembering Danny, commemorating his legacy, and raising vital funds which made a huge difference to the many people supported by Back Up and the services Danny was so passionate about as a trustee.
This year, we have teamed up with Hotchillee again to give you the opportunity to take part in the iconic ride that our former trustee Danny Turnbull made possible for handcyclists. In July, our team of cyclists and handcyclists will take to the roads and cycle from London to Paris to raise vital funds for Back Up and show us that they have #NoLimits.
All the money that our fundraisers raise will go directly to Back Up and a small portion of it will be used to fund their places on the ride worth £1,500 each. All participants have already paid a deposit toward this amount.
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