Steve and Harry Baker joined a team of enthusiastic fundraisers to cycle from London to Paris to raise money for Kids Inspire.
The group set off from Battersea Park on Thursday 16th June in the bright morning sunshine, bracing themselves for the record high temperatures. Over the course of the next three days, temperatures hit highs of 38 degrees and there was little respite from the heat in the evenings. Needless to say, this encouraged additional rest stops to permit them to escape from the heat and allowed them to rehydrate with the occasional cold beer.
The three day 200 mile cycle ride was quite an adventure, similar to the Essex to Amsterdam challenge Harry completed for Kids Inspire last year. Both were organised for Kids Inspire by Chapeau Events
“We’re happy to welcome both Steve and Harry back, once again, as part of Team Kids Inspire. London to Paris in 200-miles is going to be a mammoth cycling challenge across three days and the heat is going to make it a tough ride, but with them both onboard there will be guaranteed fun along the way. I wish Steve, Harry and all our 29 cyclists lots of luck and thank them for taking on this challenge to raise awareness and to raise vital funds for us this weekend.” Paula Ashfield, Kids Inspire.
Kids Inspire Team ready to depart from Battersea Park
Day 1: London to Newhaven and a boat to Dieppe| Distance 61.1 miles | Climb 3231 ft
Harry Baker, Steve Baker & Dave Walsh get pedalling.
Day 2: Dieppe to Beauvais | Distance 73miles | Climb 2728ft
It was hot hot hot for Harry!
Day 3: Beauvais to Paris | Distance 71 miles | Climb 3685 ft
Early morning on the final day
Celebrating the finish at the Eiffel Tower
The Baker Boys were joined on the ride by long-time friend and short-term colleague Dave Walsh.
All riders had a commitment to raise £1500 each for Kids Inspire and were encouraged to seek donations and sponsorship through JustGiving (donations to Steve and Harry’s page are still welcome!)
Dave Walsh had a different idea and offered to work at Baker Labels for 6 weeks in return for a donation to Kids Inspire. Having retired from a very successful career in the city, Dave had more time on his hands than he knew what to with. As a friend of the Baker family for a number of years, he had heard many, many stories about Baker Labels. So you could say he was drawn in to the magical world of label production when he made his offer to work in the factory for free!
The Baker Labels Despatch Team are always busy, yet have strict and precise methods to packing, wrapping and stacking the finished labels into boxes and onto pallets. It was the perfect place for a man that likes order, tidiness and efficiency. It was an added bonus that there was a strong West Ham following in the Despatch team and Dave is a life long Hammer himself.
Dave Walsh, Temporary Despatch Assistant
Dave (far left) with some of the Bakers Despatch Team
Kids Inspire is an excellent charity that we have supported for over 10 years so anything we can do to help boost their funds is minor in comparison to work they perform, many thanks to everyone for all the donations so far!
This was a serious challenge and I’ll admit I was a bit worried on the first day after hitting the hills of the South Downs that it would be a challenge too far. We were really well looked after by the Kids Inspire and Chapeau teams though, and built a great team spirit over the course of the event. Finishing with a circuit around the Arc de Triomph with encouraging honking horns from Parisian commuters was a real highlight, along with completing the course alongside Hazza – making memories!
Make a Donation to Kids Inspire
They really worked hard over the three days to reach Paris in soaring temparatures. How about donating a bit of cash to say “Well done guys”