Sixth and final Paris ride for fundraisers

Lara Loveys, of Horsham, Sharon Orman, from Upper Beeding, and Monica Thaesler, of Southwater, are cycling 340 miles from London to Paris in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

The friends set off on Saturday September 4 with the aim of covering 85 miles per day. This year 70 people are taking part in the ride.

This is the tenth year that Rowlands Pharmacy has organised the ride, and this year is believed to be the biggest. The aim is to raise £1m.

Lara, Sharon and Monica have had help from their communities, including a sponsored silence by the 3rd Roffey Brownies.

Help has also been provided by Hepworth Brewery, South Lodge Hotel, Southdown Bikes, and Slinfold Golf and Country Club.

Lara said: “We wanted to raise more money this year as it is our final ride.

“It is amazing to see what the hospital has done with the money, and every year a member of the hospital tells us about their work and shows us around the ward that has been named after Rowlands Pharmacy.”

This year the ride has been extended to four days instead of the usual three. Lara said: “They wanted to make it more special by making it larger, due to the £1m challenge and because it’s the last ride.”

Every year the Great Ormond Street Hospital has to raise over £50m to make sure it stays a world class pioneering institute that it is today.

Support from fund-raising events helps them to buy vital equipment, fund pioneering research and rebuild and refurbish some of the hospital site.

To sponsor Lara and friends visit: www.justgiving.com/Lara-Loveys

To sponsor the ride visit: www.justgiving.com/2010london2paris