Charity riders prepare for tough Norwegian challenge

Charity riders prepare for tough Norwegian challenge

25 July 2019

A team of charity cyclists are preparing to tackle the 12th leg of their tough tour of Europe challenge later month – adding a further 300 miles to the 4,500 miles they’ve already covered through 15 different countries.

A total of 13 riders will take part in the 2019 Tour of Europe charity challenge which covers a route through the Norwegian countryside from Oslo to Stavanger over five gruelling days - starting on Monday July 29th and finishing on Friday August 2nd.

The annual ride was founded in 2007 by brothers Mark and Paul Dransfield. Mark is the founder and owner of Sheffield based Dransfield Properties Ltd and Paul owns PDR Construction which is based in Hull.

This year the team will be riding in memory of Mark’s wife Deborah Holmes who sadly passed away in January this year at the age of just 56. Deborah was a director of Dransfield Properties and also launched Sanderson’s Department store in 2016 at the company’s award-winning Fox Valley development.

Mark said: “Deborah is most definitely the inspiration for all of us on the team this year and we will be supporting three great charities in her memory. I am really touched by the amazing support I have received both from the cycle ride team and the many people who have so generously sponsored and supported our fundraising efforts.

“Each year we push ourselves a little harder and this year is no different. The route from Oslo to Stavanger is really going to be a tough one.”

Since the fundraising ride started in 2007 almost £500,000 has been raised by the riders for charity. This year the cyclists are supporting St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield, Action Against Cancer and the Dransfield Foundation.

Paul added: “Its going to be a tough ride for us all this year but every single one of us are really determined to complete the challenge and to raise as much money as possible.”

Over the years the riders have covered routes taking them from London to Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Portofino, Rome, Dubrovnik, Trieste, Munich, Berlin, Copenhagen and Oslo. The team aim to be back in London where the challenge started by 2021.

This year's riders are: Mark Dransfield, Andrew Malley, Paul Dransfield, Lee Newsham, Simon Bland, Steve Wilson, Peter Swift, Mark Yardley, Richard Marshall, Philip Prince, Christian Cox, Robert Neale, Jonathan Branton.

The team support drivers are Paul Anderson and John White.

PICTURES SHOW: Two members of this years teamMark Dransfield and Andrew Malley, the support team leaving Fox Valley to meet the riders for the start of the challenge on Monday.

Editors notes:
To support the cycle ride team visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/TeamDransfieldTourofEurope2019
Below is the complete breakdown of the 2019 route:
• July 29th Day 1: Oslo to Hokksund - 63.9km (40 miles)
• July 30th Day 2: Hokksund—Seljord 113.02km (70 miles)
• July 31st Day 3: Seljord to Rysstad 137.588km (85 miles)
• August 1st Day 4: Rysstad to Sirdal 54km (33 miles)
• August 2nd Day 5: Sirdal to Stavanger 111km (63 miles)
To keep up to date with the team on their journey follow them on Facebook and twitter @TeamDransfield
For media interviews before or during the Tour of Europe Oslo to Stavanger Challenge 2019 contact Amanda Holmes at Dransfield Properties on 01226 360644 or 07747 621902 amanda.holmes@dransfield.co.uk

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk