Caroline gets on her bike to help the Sycamore Trust.

A Havering parent will be getting on her bike for charity next summer, by cycling all the way to Paris! Raising vital funds for charity is more difficult than ever and supporters are turning to ever more creative measures to help good causes.  One such person is Caroline Allen-Monaghan, who has decided to venture across the channel in her quest to help the Sycamore Trust.

Caroline, from Upminster, has signed up for the London to Paris cycle ride next July, a distance of almost 300 miles spread over four days.  Sycamore Trust is a charity that supports families and individuals on the autistic spectrum, working out of the Autism Hub in Romford’s Liberty Centre. Caroline’s son Charles has been attending Sycamore youth clubs for a couple of years after he was diagnosed with autism in 2016.

Caroline said; “When we received Charles’s ASD diagnosis in early 2016, I was lucky enough to discover the Sycamore Trust who specialise in supporting the needs of individuals and families for whom ASD difficulties are a part of everyday life. They have been priceless for Charles & for us, and I feel like raising money for them is the least I can do with the positive impact they’ve had on his life and how he behaves.”

The London to Paris cycle ride takes place over a four day period next July, with the first 86 mile stage from London to Calais (via a ferry from Dover). The following day, the riders take on an 82 mile stretch through the French countryside to the town of Arras, a route that is described as having a ‘few small climbs’, which will probably be tougher than it sounds!

The third day involves another 76 miles to Compiegne before arriving in Paris on day four after another 67 miles, finishing on Champs de Mars, having ridden along the famous Champs Elysees.

The riders then get a well-earned day off before returning to the UK, by which we hope they will all have raised a huge sum for their chosen charities. 

If you can support Caroline in her efforts to raise vital funds for the Sycamore Trust, please click here;https://bit.ly/2TxJ2va