Fundraisers raise more than £2,500 for Eccelston charity BIRD through London to Monaco bike ride

Sep 24 2009 by Claire Devine, Chester Chronicle

PEDAL power fundraisers have raised more than £2,500 for charity.

Cheshire Police sergeant Andy Miller and forensic computer student at Bristol University Jon Shorter completed 1,000 miles from London to Monaco on Friday, September 18.

The sporty duo raised money for the Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Development charity (BIRD), based in Eccleston.

The pair were hampered by poor weather toward the end of their trip but arrived in Monaco on Friday.

Writing on the pair’s blog on Saturday, Jon said: “We planned our route from St Tropez to follow the coast road through Frejus, Cannes, Antibes and Nice to reach our final destination which was the Cafe de Paris in the centre of Monte Carlo, perhaps the most exclusive and expensive cafe and people watching location in the world.

“The route measured 79 miles and the sea was rarely out of sight as we set off at 8.30 am with only a change of clothing and a few essentials for the trip.

“We made good time for the first 20 miles flying along at 20mph and rewarding ourselves with lots of pain au chocolat at St Maxime and a cup of coffee at Frejus.

“The views as we cycled along the coast road were amazing with steep cliffs, beautiful sandy beaches, expensive yachts and amazing houses in abundance.

“A long and brilliant day and the end to a great trip.”

Jon and Andy set off on August 31 and covered a route including Calais, Amiens, Paris, Lyon, Avignon, Aiz-en-Provence Fréjus and Monaco.

BIRD was founded in 1982 by Dr David McGlown, for more details go to www.b-i-r-d.org.uk.

To read the blog and to donate, go to www.londonmonaco.org.