A TEAM of cyclists from Withy King solicitors in Marlborough and Swindon raised over £5,000 by riding from Bath to Paris.

The team, made up of 19 cyclists and two support crew, started their journey from Bath and travelled the 230 mile route to Paris in just three days.

The bike ride marked the start of a six-month programme of sporting activities to help raise money for the firm’s three chosen charities- Prospect Hospice, Dorothy House Hospice and Yellow Submarine.

Ali Cloak, a solicitor in Withy King and one of the main organisers, said: “The support we’ve received has been overwhelming.

"The firm really got behind us and we had a great send off from our colleagues in Bath on the first day. We also received a lot of support from local contacts, such as Green Park Bike Station and Iconic Cycling Events.

“My personal highlight was cycling into Paris on the final day, as the city came into view and we got glimpses of the Eiffel Tower getting closer and closer.

"We were all pretty emotional when we finished underneath the tower.”

Challenges the team faced whilst making the journey over to France included tackling up the steep Pont du Normandie in heavy winds and inadvertently cycling around the treacherous Arc de Triomphe.

Mark Hambleton, an associate in the firm’s personal injury team, said: “The camaraderie was great, other than the off wrong turn, the route we’d planned was fantastic and everyone made it to Paris without too many dramas.

“Cycling through the beautiful French countryside and spending time with colleagues I don’t work closely with on a day to day basis were definitely the high points. I would do it again without question.

"On the way home, talk turned to what our next challenge might be - so watch this space.”

Donations can still be made to the team at Withy King here: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/WKSummerofSport