Industry Leader Challenge 2019

The Industry Leader Challenge (ILC) baton for 2019 was passed on to three well-known senior industry leaders: Jon Wakefield, former Managing Director of Volvo Car UK; Tim Tozer, CEO of Allianz Partners UK & Ireland and Darren Guiver, then Managing Director of Group 1 Automotive. These three leaders took on the 2019 challenge called the Epic Thames Waterbike Ride and raised a staggering £273,360.40 for Ben.

They literally cycled on the River Thames from its source to London during 4^th-7^th July. The challenge was over 171 miles long, with an average of around 12 hours cycled each day on land and water, with just enough time for quick comfort breaks and snacks! The challenge, which started at Thames Head in Gloucestershire, was a true test of strength, fitness and stamina from start to finish. The longest day consisted of a gruelling 13.5 hours in the saddle – from Folly Bridge in Oxford to Caversham Lock in Reading. They cycled on water alongside boats and through a total of 45 locks.

The trio cycled on water on self-propelled Schiller waterbikes until they reached the tidal Thames at Teddington, where they continued the last leg of their journey cycling on land until they reached the Thames barrier – the finish point.