A group of employees from Paragon Software Systems, has successfully finished a 150-mile cycle ride to raise more than £3000 for local children’s charity Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. The team of 8 travelled to Northern France to take part in the two-day ride that spanned the regions of Pas-de-Calais, Picardy and Normandy.
Velo France was created by the Paragon team to replace last year’s 100-mile Velo South cycle ride in West Sussex that was unfortunately cancelled due to bad weather. Paragon’s own cycle challenge took place last weekend. The riders started with a 50-mile scenic route from Calais to Saint-Omer on day one – through the Regional Natural Park of the Caps and Opal Marsh – and then completed the challenge with a 100-mile cycle to Dieppe on day two.
The funds raised will help Shooting Star Children’s Hospices provide care for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and support to their families. The charity’s care service includes short breaks at two hospices in Hampton and Guildford, as well as Hospice at Home, day care, symptom management, end-of-life care, bereavement care and a range of therapies and support groups for the whole family.
William Salter, Managing Director of Paragon Software Systems commented: “We are immensely proud to be able to support a charity that is making an amazing difference to peoples’ lives in our area. This was the first major ride for many of the team, but everyone was willing to dig deep and get stuck in to raise much needed funds for such a worthwhile cause. Shooting Star Chase needs £10 million a year just to maintain its current level of care, with only 10 per cent coming from government funding, so every donation really can make a difference.”
While the team are now back in the office, the Paragon Velo France JustGiving site is still open for donations to this very worthy cause. Please help us raise every penny we can to support Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.
