Alec, 72, completes 15-year cycle challenge across Europe

Beverley businessman Alec Cammish has taken part in the tough final leg of a charity cycling challenge which was launched in 2007 and has covered more than 5,000 miles across 14 countries.

Alec was one of the 21 riders who joined the final leg of the Tour of Europe cycling challenge organised by South Yorkshire based Dransfield Properties Ltd.

At 72-years-old Alec is the veteran of the team’s hardy group of cyclists. He is the founder and owner of Beverley-based Cammish and Co as well as being a director of RPMS Block Management and Grays Estate Agents.

The well-known businessman took part in the first ride from London to Paris in 2007.

He has joined most of the rides over the years as the team covered their route across Europe, through countries including France, Italy, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Scotland.

Alec was determined to take part in the final five-day challenge which took place last month and followed a 335-mile route from Newcastle to London.

The route took the team back to their 2007 starting point at London Bridge where the first leg saw them cycle from London to Paris.

A total of £37,000 has been raised for charities including St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield, Action Against Cancer, taking the total that Alec and his colleagues have raised over the last 15 years to £583,000.

Dozens of smaller charities across Yorkshire have benefitted from the team’s fundraising over the years.
Charities which have been supported include Platform in Hull which helps young people with a physical disability and profound and multiple needs and the Jamie Loncaster Memorial Fund.

After setting off from Letchworth on the final day of the final ride, the riders were joined by friends, family and supporters for the last few miles of the ride, crossing the finish line at Tower Bridge during a torrential downpour on the afternoon of 9th September.

“It was quite an emotional moment to be back in London where we started what turned out to be such a huge fundraising effort that has covered so many miles over two decades,” said Alec.

“It has been a great privilege to have been involved in the ride all this time, though it’s certainly got tougher for us all over the years.

“Supporting so many great charities has kept us all going and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported my fundraising endeavours through the charity bike ride over the years.”

There is still time to support Alec and the other riders by donating through the fundraising page at justgiving.com/fundraising/dransfield-foundation.