A TEAM of super cyclists braved the elements for a massive charity challenge raising more than £11,000.

The Champion Group, based in Wella Road, Basingstoke, has chosen to support Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) as its charity of the year, and the community-focused company is bidding to raise as much money as possible in 2023.

On Friday, August 18, a team of six cyclists – Jon Bird, Adam Chandler, Ian Dobson, Lionel Eales, Simon Hall and Dan Hare – pedalled through torrential rain as they took on a 150-mile plus route from Champion House headquarters to Portsmouth, cycling across a wet and windy Isle of Wight, before returning to Lymington for the trek home to the finish line at Basingstoke Rugby Football Club, in Pack Lane.

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A highlight of the epic ride was a stop at the HIOWAA headquarters at Thruxton, where the riders and support crews met some of the team who work for the life-saving air ambulance charity.

Wellwishers cheered the cyclists, who were joined by personal trainer and support crew member Ryan Chandler for the last leg of the journey, as they arrived at the finish line just before 7pm – 15 hours after they had set off before dawn.

Champion Homes contracts manager Adam Chandler, one of the cyclists and driving forces behind the cycling marathon, thanked everyone for their amazing support.

“What a great team effort,” said Adam. “This has been an incredible challenge from start to finish, and we are delighted to have overcome the elements and to have raised more than our £10,000 target for HIOWAA.”

Basingstoke Gazette:

The Champion Group and cyclists appealed to local firms to sponsor the riders by paying for company logos to go on the riders’ shirts – and the response was amazing.

Kevin Croombs, group accountant at the construction industry company and a member of the support crew with Ryan and Mark Jones, from Destination Basingstoke, said: “Thanks to the 20-plus local companies that have sponsored the riders – each pledging at least £200 of sponsorship support.

“A particular shout out go to the team from sponsor Strukta who stepped in at the last minute to provide an additional support team on the day.”

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Jill McDonagh, supporter engagement manager at HIOWAA, was among the welcome party, and she thanked the cyclists for their amazing support.

Jill said: “On average, it costs £15,000 a day to keep the air ambulance flying, so the amazing amount raised through this fundraising feat could be life saving for the patients who so desperately need our help."

The fundraising total, with gift aid, currently stands at £11,634 and there is still time to donate to the riders, individually or collectively, at thechampiongroup.co.uk/hampshire-loopy.