Cyclists invited to join tour to Paris and back in memory of murdered Channel Island woman

The chance to help create a lasting legacy for Guernsey woman Sarah Groves, who was tragically murdered in India last year, is being offered through a cycle ride of 600 miles from St Malo to Paris and back this May.

Riders of all abilities are invited to sign up for the event which should raise at least £50,000 in sponsorship to help disadvantaged youngsters enjoy adventure, art, fitness, and education.

Since Sarah’s death last April her family resolved to create a positive legacy in her name and The Sarah Groves Foundation has now been formally launched. The early response to it has been described as “fantastic” by Sarah’s father who is determined to help as many young people as possible through the distribution of the proceeds raised.

Cyclists Gary Hooks and Leon Howard are organising the event alongside Sarah’s father and managing trustee of the foundation, Vic Groves. The tour will commence on 21 May 2014 and will take six days to complete. Total back-up support will be provided by a team of professionals in respect of nutrition, medical care, physiotherapy, massage and mechanics. Registration for the tour is now open. There has been a good early response to the challenge but more riders are needed to ensure that our financial targets are met.

The organisers have paid huge attention to detail to make sure that the cycle ride runs smoothly with comfortable hotels booked, great food and a direct route planned and tested by the organisers. From St Malo the group will head east in an almost direct line to the French capital. Riders will cycle past beautiful open spaces, through many little French villages, across rivers and through dense forests. Then it will be on to the beautiful ‘City of Love’.

Paris has been chosen as the destination because Sarah loved the Pont des Arts where the duo placed a padlock in her memory on their last visit in July 2013.

Leon explained that the team working behind the scenes, with major sponsorship from the Bonsai Group, is dedicated to make the tour as successful as possible. “We need people to step forward and fill the remaining places as soon as possible to ease the planning process. It is the perfect opportunity for individuals to take on a major challenge in their lives and to be part of a team event with a strong and worthwhile focus.”

Gary added, “Sarah was a beautiful young woman who went out of her way to try and improve other people's lives, whether she knew them or not. She wanted to help and care for people whenever she could. She was an incredible person and inspired Leon and I to do something very special in her memory. We have designed special clothing for the ride which uses some of Sarah’s own artwork. The registration process is now set up and many entrants have already opened up their JustGiving sponsorship pages.”

For further information regarding The Tour please search “Sarah Groves Foundation Bike Ride” on Facebook, or visit www.sarahgrovesfoundation.org A further option is to visit the event page on JustGiving at www.justgiving.com/sarahgrovesfoundationbikerideteamdonation/