LONDON LUTON STAFF COMPLETE CHARITY BIKE RIDE TO AMSTERDAM

The intrepid London Luton Airport staff who cycled to Amsterdam via Paris and Brussels for charity have raised an impressive £60,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 23-strong team completed the 410 mile route in just four days to raise funds for Macmillan, which is the airport's charity partner for 2018/19. 

Since the partnership began, the airport has raised more than £125,000 for the charity, to help support more than 400 local cancer patients with emergency grants.

The ride follows the airport’s Summer Solstice Runway Race in June, where runners ran the full length of the runway and back, raising £4,000.

Cycling more than 100 miles a day, the team had to endure a mix of blazing sunshine, driving rain and tough road conditions in their bid to make it to Amsterdam.

Cycling as part of the team was LLA’s operations director, Neil Thompson, who said: “We knew the ride would be tough, but it was much tougher than any of us expected. 

"The long days in the saddle were worth it though and we’re all really proud to have finished the ride, and raised an incredible £60,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

Commenting on the charity ride, Rowena Howell, partnership manager for Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We’re so grateful for the team from LLA for their latest fundraising effort. 

"We’ve been impressed with the commitment the airport has shown to this vital partnership since it began in 2018. 

"All of the money raised will go towards our Macmillan Grants programmewhich helps people meet the additional costs caused by or related to their cancer.”