Locals to Take on Le Loop In Aid of William Wates Memorial Trust
[L-R]: Ian Copley, Matt Paxton, Simon Hagger
Three friends and colleagues from Kent are taking on one of Europe’s most gruelling cycling challenges this summer, aiming to raise £10,000 for the William Wates Memorial Trust.
On 27th June, Simon Hagger, Matt Paxton, and Ian Copley – all part of the senior leadership team at Hythe-based Holiday Extras – will saddle up and embark on Le Loop, a challenge that sees amateur cyclists from around the world ride the official route of the Tour de France a week before the professionals.
Aiming to raise £10,000 for The Trust, Simon and Ian will cycle the first three stages of the route known as the ‘Grand Depart’, covering 575km between Lille and Dunkirk – the equivalent of three back-to-back Ironman rides with day two requiring as much climbing as Ironman Wales, one of the hardest full-distance triathlon rides in the world.
Fulfilling a lifelong dream to complete the full official route of the famed race, Matt will continue and take on the Grand Loop: all 21 stages of the route, a three-week tour that totals 3,350km and 170,000ft of elevation, that ends in Paris.
The impressive feat is all in aid of The William Wates Memorial Trust, a charity set up in 1998 in memory of William after he was tragically killed in Central America during his gap year. It exists to support projects that help disadvantaged young people fulfil their potential and stay away from a life of crime.
Having already raised over £3,000 to date for the challenge, the trio is calling for support to help them reach their goal of £10,000. Simon Hagger said:
“I have taken on a number of interesting Charity challenges over the years, including a 70.3 Triathlon, the national three peaks, and swimming in relay teams across the English Channel and from Jersey to France – but the Le Loop will be my biggest test yet.
“Training is well underway, with fundraising efforts across our office at Holiday Extras helping us raise money for this incredible cause. As we get closer to the start of this mammoth challenge, every donation supports this brilliant charity so they can make a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged young people around the country.”
For more information on Le Loop, visit: https://rideleloop.org/, and to help Simon, Matt, and Ian reach their fundraising goal, head to: https://fundraising.wwmt.org/fundraiser/holidayextrasloopers
