Students’ London to Paris Cycle to Raise Funds for Alzheimer’s Society

Five students from City College Norwich, who together call themselves “the CCN5”, are preparing for an epic cycle ride from London to Paris, when they will cover over 300 miles in only 4 days to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. 

The five Foundation Degree Business Management students are Christopher Thornton, 27, Kelvin Callaghan-Bates, 54, Lukas Stika, 39, Marijana Pattinson, 29 and Pablo Borja, 35.  All have busy day jobs, in addition to their studies, around which they have to fit in the training for this mammoth cycle journey.  The bike ride will be a real international effort, with the CCN5 comprising 2 Brits, 1 Serbian, 1 Czech and a Colombian in the team!

This September the CCN5 will be setting off from London through rural Kent, before crossing the Channel to Calais and continuing through the undulating countryside, small villages and medieval market towns of Northern France to the finish line under the grand arches of the Eiffel Tower. The team are seeking to raise a minimum of £6,500, but are hoping to exceed this figure through sponsorship and a series of fundraising events in the run up to the ride.  The money raised will go to help the Alzheimer’s Society continue to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Kelvin Callaghan-Bates, 54, from Norwich said:  “It’s not easy to fit in both study and training, especially at this time of year, but you have to make time to do it.  We are all very committed to raising money for this important cause.”

Marijana Pattinson, 29, from Norwich said:  “We have a great team spirit as the CCN5.  I think we encourage each other as a team because we all get on so well together and that really helps a lot.”
 
The CCN5 will be setting off from Blackheath on 15th September and arriving in Paris on 18th September.  If you would like to support the CCN5, please visit their Just Giving site: www.justgiving.com/CCN5-ALZHEIMERS or email Kelvin Callaghan-Bates on k-bates@sky.com