Are you looking for a challenge for 2019? Join the Bristol to Paris Cycle Challenge and ride 470km to raise money for Bristol’s hospitals!

Celebrating the fifth year of the annual event, this year will see 80 cyclists taking a new route from the centre of Bristol to the French capital, where they will finish by the Eiffel Tower.

The Bristol to Paris Challenge is open to all cycling abilities, with nutrition and bike maintenance support, group training rides and fundraising tips and advice all included.

The flagship event for Above & Beyond, the official charity for UH Bristol’s hospitals, takes place 11-15 September 2019. With people travelling to the hospitals from Swindon, Gloucester and even Cornwall there is no limit to who can join the ride – either as a team with colleagues, friends or family, or as individuals.

Catherine Harris, a participant in last year’s event, said: “The atmosphere on the ride was amazing and I made lots of new friends. It’s great to know that the all money raised is staying right here in Bristol to help our hospitals.”

Previous participants have included a cystic fibrosis patient from Swindon, the dad of a baby who had surgery while still in the womb and a heart attack patient – all treated at Bristol city centre hospitals.

Thrings and Plaster Creative have previously entered corporate teams into the ride and a team from DAC Beachcroft has taken part in the challenge for the last three years, raising more than £100,000.

Edd Smith, corporate partnerships and community fundraising manager for Above & Beyond, said: “This year cyclists can choose to fundraise for whichever of the nine UH Bristol hospitals that means the most to them.

“Taking part is a fantastic way to say thank you to the incredibly hardworking NHS staff and we expect there to be a mix of staff, patients, companies and individuals looking for a new challenge. Places on the ride are limited so sign up now to avoid missing out.”

For more information or to sign up visit the website or call 0117 927 7120.

Alternatively come along to the launch event on 27 September at 6pm at DeliMarche on level nine of Bristol Royal Infirmary.