This September, a group of riders from Stewarts will complete the London to Paris cycle ride for the Back Up Trust, a UK charity supporting people affected by spinal cord injury. 

The riders will complete a 300 mile journey over three days, named the No Limits Ride. Our group will be part of a larger group of riders including five hand-cyclists who will be committing to raising funds for Back Up. Departing from London on Friday 26 September, the riders will finish their journey on the cobbled streets of Paris.

Managing partner Stuart Dench comments:

“The Stewarts Foundation is proud to support Back Up and the #NoLimits London to Paris cycle ride in 2025. The event is a special one for Stewarts, with our former partner Danny Turnbull being instrumental in opening the London to Paris cycle route to hand-cyclists in 2012. I’ve completed London to Paris twice now, in 2018 and 2022, and am looking forward to my third attempt this year.”

Fundraising for Back Up

Our team is hoping to raise £500,000 in funds for Back Up as part of the No Limits challenge. £500,000 would fund the whole of Back Up’s mentoring service for both people with SCI and family members for over 18 months, helping more than 500 people with tailored one to one support.

Chief Executive of Back Up, Abigail Lock, explained what this fundraising means for Back Up at a recent event.

“There is no getting away from just how important No Limits is as a fundraising event enabling us to deliver our work. But more than this, No Limits embodies our ethos of challenge, inclusion and fun. Showing what’s possible.

“Back Up has just launched its 2030 strategy and it’s not a coincidence that we have called it Limitless Ambition. Over the next five years all of our efforts will be on making sure No one with spinal cord injury is left behind. With four out of five people not getting to specialist NHS spinal cord injury centre we have a big job on our hands.

“That is why I am so very thankful for the ambition that Stuart has. Stuart has laid down a challenge to raise £500k through the ride this year. Our biggest fundraiser ever.

“As coincidence would have it this is the same amount that we need to raise to fund the growth in our front-line outreach team. They are the first connection, the first reassurance, the first spark of hope for people whose lives are turned upside down in an instant by spinal cord injury.”

Danny’s legacy

In 2012, our former partner and Back Up Trustee Danny Turnbull became one of the first hand-cyclists to ride the London to Paris route, in the London Paralympic year. He pioneered the three-day route for hand-cyclists, proving just what’s possible for people with a spinal cord injury.

Several partners at the firm accompanied him for the challenge in 2012, and Danny’s son Lucas was there at the end to celebrate with him.

After Danny lost his battle with cancer, a group of riders came together to ride in his memory in 2018 and again in 2022.

This year is going to be the final legacy event to Danny. Lucas will be completing the course with us and we are putting our full support behind it.

Susie Turnbull, Danny’s wife, says: “This one is going to be extra special. No Limits 2025 welcomes a Very Important Pedaller to the peloton: Lucas, 13 years since seeing his dad cycle to the Eiffel Tower, is finally able to do it too! Danny’s legacy really will be alive, I cannot wait to share this journey with Lucas and see him feel where it all began. Together we will ride, believe and achieve!”

Lucas Turnbull says: “I am excited to finally be a part of this ride, which has played a significant role in my life despite me not having done it yet. After watching my dad as a handcyclist complete this event in 2012, I knew that I’d do the same someday, so to take part and carry on his legacy means everything to me. I can’t wait for September!”

Support our team

You can help our team reach their £500,000 target by sponsoring them here.

Every pound raised will fuel life-changing support for those navigating a new reality. The Stewarts Foundation will be covering the costs of the London to Paris event ensuring everything raised goes straight to Back Up to help ensure that no one with spinal cord injury is left behind.

If you require assistance from our team, please contact us.

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