Four cyclists from Graham, along with 120 from across the Saint-Gobain group, have completed a 425-mile cycle challenge with the joint aim of raising cash for Macmilllan Cancer Support and celebrating its French parent company’s 350th birthday.

The cyclists set off on the four-day fundraising journey on 10 July, arriving in Blois, in France’s Loir-et-Cher region, on 14 July.

Representing Graham at the event were Toby Edwards, regional sales manager for Graham South, James Merrell, financial controller, Graham Division, Carrie Senior, credit services team leader for Graham South, and Rich Sykes, commercial pricing and margin manager.

After a rigorous training scheme, the route was marked out with Saint-Gobain flags. A scouting team travelled ahead of the pack to provide food and drink.

Setting off from London soon after 6am to catch the ferry to Calais afforded the team the ability to weave across 105 miles of French hills on day two, reaching the city of Amiens and sitting just 75 miles north of Paris.

Day three heralded a slightly shorter cycle of 100 miles to the historic city of Evreux, a beautiful area with history reaching back as far the Roman period.

On the morning of day four the team woke with determination to reach the end destination, Blois. After cycling 125 miles cutting into the picturesque French countryside, the Graham team finally reached the home of the Saint-Gobain archives.

Following a few celebratory photographs, all 130 riders we treated to an evening meal and a fireworks display, marking Bastille Day.

Speaking after the event, Ms Senior said: “The 350 cycle ride was four days full of laughing, crying and complaining about aching - which made crossing the finish line in Blois such a proud achievement for everyone who took part.

However, the aches and pains of the event were definitely all worthwhile when we saw how much money had been raised by the ride for MacMillian Cancer Support.”

To contribute to the team’s current donation total please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/Graham-The-Plumbers-Merchant1