Team members from bifolding door manufacturer Solarlux cycled 550km from Vauxhall Bridge in London to their headquarters in Melle, Germany, to raise money for a charity close to the company’s heart.
On Friday June 1, Vanessa Riddle, the daughter of Solarlux sales manager Chris Riddle, sadly lost her decade-long battle with neuroblastoma, a very aggressive form of childhood cancer. Vanessa was just 17 years old.
Since his daughter’s diagnosis Chris has become a committed fundraiser for Solving Kids’ Cancer – a charity dedicated to supporting families affected by neuroblastoma – and to raising money to find a cure.
As part of this fundraising, and to raise awareness, Chris and his colleagues undertook a 550km tribute cycle ride, leaving the UK on September 7 and arriving in Melle, Germany, on the September 10.
The route the team will be traveling was decided with Vanessa at its heart – as the destinations will spell her name: Vauxhall Bridge, Arnhem, Nijverdal, Emsdetten, Steinfurt and Saerbeck, before finally arriving at the company’s headquarters.
This is the third time that colleagues Matt Smith, Gary Newbold and Alfredo Di Meo have cycled the route and a second time for Chris Riddle. The cyclists were joined by Andre Jansen, Marc Spoolder and Arjan Oltwater who joined the ranks at Solarlux’s Holland headquarters in Nijverdal on the third day.
Chris said: “Cancer affects all of us, no more so than when a loved one is taken. Being part of this challenge is just one small step – or pedal – in the ongoing fight against this horrendous childhood disease.”
