GM Fundraising is well known in the industry for their epic cycling challenges and they have just launched their next one. GMFP2P is a bit different – not only is GM Fundraising introducing a paddle to their pedal, but this event is exclusively for the ladies of the industry. Paddle2Pedal will take place in August 2017 and the 12 strong all-female team met recently, at headline sponsors Epwin Group’s offices in Telford, for the launch.

“This is the first time GM Fundraising has organised a challenge for females only” says Gary Morton, chairman of GM Fundraising. “Thanks to the efforts of headline sponsors Epwin, we have recruited a group of keen and competitive ladies to take on this challenge, which will see them canoe 100 miles and cycle around 120 miles, with an abseil thrown in the middle.”

“We are lucky that Epwin is also providing the canoeing expertise in the form of their Financial Director, Mike Bache. Of course, being veterans of most GM Fundraising cycling challenges, myself and Alan Sadler will be supporting the team with the cycling leg.

“The team will start from Glasbury on 20th August 2017. Over the following 5 days they will be averaging 20 miles a day in a canoe, paddling down the wilds of the River Wye.  They will stop off at Bredwardine, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, before finally arriving in Chepstow on Day 5.  For those that are really keen to take on the additional challenge there is an abseil at Symonds Yat, although this is optional. Day 6 will see the team commence on the 120 mile cycling part of the challenge, ending up at Hope House Children’s Hospice in Oswestry on Day 7. The children, for who this is all in support of, will be welcoming us home, making the perfect ending to what is going to be a tremendous event.”

Clare O’Hara, divisional managing director of Epwin, and GMFP2P team member adds: “I have followed the previous challenges run by GM Fundraising with interest, and have wanted to do an all-female event for some time. When we came up with the concept of Paddle2Pedal I couldn’t wait to get involved! I am grateful to the support of Epwin Group, who are completely behind their three members of staff taking up the challenge, and are also the headline sponsor of the whole event.
“The team from GM Fundraising covered a very detailed plan at the GMFP2P launch, as well as setting a very comprehensive training plan for us all to start on over the winter. We will be hitting the water in the Spring, when hopefully the temperature is a little warmer!”
Gary concludes: “Although this one is for the ladies, the challenge is no less with Peddle2Pedal. Each member of the team will be looking for your support to raise much needed funds for the children at Hope House Children’s Hospice. They will be covering their own costs for the event, so every penny we raise will go directly to the children.”

Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GMFP2P  and follow their progress on social media with #GMFP2P or #Paddle2Pedal.