THE AXA Wealth Fat Boys have been piling on the pedal power again – raising over £14,000 for charity by cycling from London to Bruges with a slightly different twist.

The five-strong cycling team, led by chief executive officer Mike Kellard, rode from London to Bruges. The other members were Ian Colquhoun, director of sales and marketing for specialist products, Dave Deadman, senior programme manager, David Whiteman, head of executive office, and Simon Daunter, business advisor to Mike.

The team embarked on a 300-mile bike ride challenge for charity that also commemorated 100 years since the start of the First World War.

Their four-day journey started at the AXA Wealth office in the City of London, where employees waved and cheered as they set off for Bruges.

Along the route, the riders visited the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, the Menin Gate in Ypres, where they also attended the Last Post Ceremony, and the Tyne Cot Memorial, where over 11,000 Commonwealth troops are buried. Their efforts raised funds for Naomi House and Jacksplace, and Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal, in Bristol, with each charity receiving half of the total funds raised.

Mike said: “It wasn’t all plain sailing this year – I started off the trip with a broken toe, several of the cycle routes turned to dirt tracks and our compass awareness and sense of direction seemed to add miles to the challenge.

“But, we made it. It has been an overwhelming journey all round, from the support we received, to the sites and places we visited.

“To have raised over £7,000 for each charity is phenomenal. From myself and the rest of the Fat Boys, our most sincere thanks go to all that have shown their support.”

To find out more about the Fat Boys’ story and to donate, please visit their fundraising page - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=fatboys4