Blues Storm Paris!

After four days, 310 miles, 113 punctures and a hundredweight of bananas, the Everton Foundation London to Paris bike ride team arrived triumphant in the city of lights this week.

Bringing the traffic to a complete stand-still at the Arc de Triomphe, the charity fundraisers including Everton’s Chief Executive Robert Elstone and former Liverpool City Council leader Derek Hatton, enjoyed a well earned lap of honour around the famous five-lane roundabout, known as the craziest in the world.

Over the four days the riders battled heavy rain, howling winds and steep hills on their quest to raise vital funds for The Everton Foundation. The gruelling route started in London and passed through the challenging Kent Downs, before crossing the English Channel and continuing through northern France, passing the famous battlefields of the Somme and Agincourt.

The team report that the epic journey took every ounce of energy to complete, but they were determined to reach the final and earn their sponsorship which will go to delivering a host of sports-related disability programmes and community projects throughout Merseyside and beyond.

“Departing Goodison half an hour after the summer transfer window closed, I’d thought what better way to unwind?" reflected Robert.

"I hadn’t bargained for the wind and the rain, nor the constant challenge of side-splitting pain from all the laughs and good humour provided by all my fellow riders. Nor had I legislated for converting northern Parisians into Blues – the result of several renditions of ‘a grand old team’ as we dodged traffic along the banks of the Seine. 

"Thanks to everyone’s efforts, the Foundation’s bank balance has swelled and a few more people are hearing about ‘the best kept secret in Liverpool’ – the Everton Foundation, a charity that inspires thousands of people every day." 

For more information on the Everton Foundation and details on future challenges than you can get involved in please visit their website evertonfoundation.org

Pictured above are: L-R Back Row: David Hewitt (Thor), David Owen (Rensburg), Nigel Payne (Everton), Jeff Gillbanks (Brabners), Derek Hatton, Lee Carroll (Crosby Associates), Paul Mallon (Airtech), Lee Silk (The Mersey Partnership), Don Holmes, Rowena Finn (The Everton Foundation), Sue Arscott (Everton), Ian Smith, Robert Elstone (CEO, Everton); L-R Front Row: Emma Blackmore (Ampersand), Laura Doyle (Ampersand)