Workers from Park Royal cycle to Paris in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital

Workers from Thomann-Hanry at their office in Park Royal (Image: Archant)

The eight riders from Thomann-Hanry, stone restoration and cleaning specialists in Whitby Avenue, completed a 300 mile ride from London to Paris in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Barry Donegan, 34, one of the participants told the Times the mission left him with a ‘sore spot’.

He said: “None of us are particularly fit so it was a double challenge.

“We are office based people so it was difficult. We couldn’t sit down for a week afterwards.”

The workers underwent a strenuous training regime six months before their voyage, which included circuits round Richmond Park on weekends, and even lunchtime runs around their office block.

It took four days to reach the French capital from their office, enduring 12 hours of cycling a day before residing in cheap hotels and even the back of their van.

Mr Donegan said: “We had a well earned glass of beer to quench our thirst.

“After the agony came the ecstasy.”

The mission was launched after the children of two of the company employees underwent treatment at the hospital.

One child had open heart surgery and the other one was treated for persistent ear problems.

Company representatives visited Great Ormond Street to hand over a £5,885 cheque last month following the mission in October

The workers plan to host another charity ride next year and are inviting members of the public to join them.

“Just make sure you get yourself a comfortable seat,” Mr Donegan said.

“We all got something out of it, it was for a good cause, but it was also a very good mental challenge. We never thought we could do it but we did.”

For more information about taking part call 020 8453 1494