Step aside Chris Froome – Buckles is honouring its very own cycling champion, solicitor James Coppinger.
Keen cyclist James, partner and head of construction and engineering, is back in ‘Blighty’ following the London to Paris cycle ride – raising almost £2,000 for charity.
He may not have been presented with the famous yellow jersey, and missed out on his favourite porridge for breakfast, but James triumphed after joining around 180 other cyclists for the epic 300-mile journey.
Having trained hard over the past few months, James saddled up for an average of 75 miles cycling a day during the gruelling four-day challenge – which started in Bexley and ended in Paris.
As well as fulfilling a personal ambition, James is also boosting funds for EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices) which is Buckles’ chosen charity for 2015.
He said: “It was an amazing experience and the camaraderie was fantastic. From the very beginning, myself and a small group of cyclists took the lead, and to my surprise it pretty much stayed that way until the end.
“Anyone who knows me will know I am always up for a challenge, and knowing that there were so many friends, family and work colleagues supporting me really spurred me on – especially through the wind and rain on the final morning of the ride. Thankfully the weather improved by lunchtime and we arrived in Paris in glorious sunshine to celebrate with a well-earned drink and the obligatory photo in front of the Eiffel Tower.”
James added: “The London to Paris ride was one of those challenges I had wanted to do for a very long time but never thought I would get the opportunity. When the chance arose and given that EACH is such a worthwhile charity – after a momentary wave of nervousness – I jumped at the chance. I am now looking for a new challenge!”
James has already smashed his £1,400 fundraising target, but there is still a chance to pledge your support.
Buckles Solicitors is currently raising money for EACH through a number of staff-based challenges, with forthcoming events including a volunteering day for the Milton branch of EACH and a staff skydive. The company has raised almost £3,500 to date, from the start of the year.
