BPE lawyer follows in the footsteps of Hannibal

The Senior Partner at Cheltenham law firm BPE Solicitors has completed an epic charity cycling challenge that took him across the French Alps like Hannibal more than 2,000 years ago (although Hannibal preferred elephants as his mode of transport, rather than a bicycle).

Over five days BPE’s John Workman, who will be 60 this year, along with cycling buddy and former colleague Tim Williams, 40, took on five Tour de France climbs. They included the iconic Mont Ventoux and the Alpe de‘Huez – topping out at 9,000 feet.

The adventurers covered 392 miles (the distance from London to Edinburgh) and climbed 8,848 meters (two and half times the height of Everest).

The pair raised more than £4,250 for the Footprints Foundation, founded and led by the former Chairman of Mears Group, Bob Holt OBE.

The Footprints Foundation supports the Khaya Centre and its orphanages near Johannesburg, providing shelter, education, clothing, food and medical help to children from townships and squatter camps.

John said: “I was not the oldest person doing these climbs, but I was the slowest. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t smooth and it was not without stopping, but I cycled every single centimetre of it. And I was humbled and flattered by the mix of astonishment, respect, compassion and encouragement I received from the (largely) Scandinavian and Dutch cyclists around us.

“A massive thanks to those who donated and to my fellow owners at BPE who have supported the adventure financially, and with their goodwill and blessing.”

Managing partner rides for flights

Rebecca Widdowson, Managing Partner, of Hallmark Hulme solicitors of Worcester, cycled from London to Paris raising more than £1,250 for The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

The charity receives no public funding and relies on donations. Each flight costs around £2,500.

Gardner Leader goes the extra mile

From climbing Kilimanjaro to holding a Beard-athon, the team at Newbury law firm Gardner Leader have raised £7,166 for Berkshire charity, Swings & Smiles.

The charity provides support, friendship and a place to play for children with special needs and their families.

Funeral directors donate CCTV to burgled rugby club

After reading about a break-in at Upton Rugby Club near Worcester, local funeral directors Jackson’s donated an eight-unit CCTV system to prevent it happening again. Work tools were stolen and extensive damage created inside the Upton-onSevern club which saw the bar flooded with beer.