AFPA Trust is proud to present The BIG Cycle Ride – London to Paris, 2nd to 4th October 2025
AFPA Trust’s BIG Cycle: pedalling for charities and for the industry
From 2–4 October 2025, 18 riders from across the asset finance industry will take on the AFPA Trust’s BIG Cycle – a 300-mile ride from London to Paris. It will be the largest industry-led cycle event ever staged, with participants swapping their desks for saddles to take on the iconic route via Dover, Calais and Amiens before finishing in the French capital.
The event is more than just a physical challenge. Riders are aiming to raise nearly £40,000 for 11 charities ranging from cancer research and hospices to music therapy and mental health support, while also demonstrating the camaraderie and community spirit of the asset finance sector.
Why they ride
Robert Taylor, AFPA Trust Chair and MD of LTi UK, is leading the charge for Nordoff & Robbins Music Therapy, a cause with deep personal meaning.
“Music therapy has had a profound impact on my son with autism and on our family,” Robert explains. “This ride is my way of raising vital funds so more people can experience the life-changing power of music. But it’s also about our industry showing what we can do when we unite. We may be competitors day to day, but here we’re teammates.”
Tim Canham, Head of Business at DND Finance, is riding for Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance after his son’s life was saved following a brain haemorrhage.
“We’ll always be indebted to KSS. Cycling to Paris is a great way to keep raising awareness, but what really inspired me was the chance to ride alongside people from my industry.”
Mark Lyons, MD of Mark Lyons Recruitment, is fundraising for the Unbeatable Eva Foundation, honouring the memory of 10-year-old Eva, the daughter of an asset finance industry connection, who died from DIPG.
“The charity work of our sector is phenomenal. I wanted to say ‘yes’ to this ride not just for Eva’s story, which inspires me, but also to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with colleagues in the industry, showing how powerful we are when we collaborate.”
James Rudolf, CCO of Acquis, is fundraising for the Motor Neurone Disease Association in honour of a close friend.
“Charity is deeply personal for me. But I also love the idea of this ride as an industry effort – competing against ourselves physically, while collectively raising vital funds for causes that mean so much to us.”
An industry on the move
Other riders are equally motivated by both personal causes and the power of the sector to unite:
Peter Golding, Director at Virtual Lease Services, rides for the Royal Marsden after seeing two colleagues’ families face cancer.
“Cycling from London to Paris has always been on my bucket list, so when I heard that AFPA Trust was organising the BIG Cycle, it was a no-brainer for me. Doing it with colleagues from the sector while raising money for cancer support makes it doubly rewarding.”
Stuart Williams, of Victor Finance, rides for Lindsey Lodge Hospice, in memory of a close friend and in honour of his grandfather’s volunteer work.
“I’ve seen the Hospice’s incredible work first-hand. Sharing this ride with peers from the industry is a brilliant way to give back.”
Dominic Hughes, MD of BPCE Equipment Solutions UK, admits he was “talked into it” but is embracing the challenge for Richmond Borough Mind.
“It’ll be tough, but doing it with industry friends keeps me going. I’m looking forward to meeting new people, renewing old acquaintances and riding together as a team with a common goal of raising money for our preferred charities. Mental health and wellbeing are close to my heart – and having this shared challenge makes every mile worthwhile.”
With AFPA Trust having already donated £43,000 to 18 charities in 2025, the BIG Cycle will push that figure even higher. But as the riders are keen to point out, the impact goes far beyond fundraising.
As Robert Taylor sums up: “It’s about proving that our industry can do more than finance assets. We can finance hope, resilience and community, too.”
Ready for a Challenge? Let’s Make It an Adventure!
Are you up for a challenge? Looking to add a bit of adventure to your life? Want to connect with the movers and shakers in the industry? Or perhaps you’re eager to make a real difference for some fantastic charitable causes?
If your answer is yes, maybe, or even a curious mmm to any of these, then the BIG Cycle is the event you won’t want to miss!
Get ready for an experience like no other – we can’t wait for you to join us!
Let us know that you are, maybe, or mmm interested by contacting Robert Taylor, our Chair and Organiser here.
PS – There is no requirement to be a Team GB or a rapid rider. This is an inclusive event for us all to take part in.
The BIG Cycle team is getting ready and would really appreciate your support in helping to raise funds for some great causes. Please click on your favourite(s) below to donate:
- Robert Taylor: Nordoff & Robbins Music Therapy
- Mark Lyons: Unbeatable Eva Foundation
- Dominic Hughes: Richmond Borough Mind
- Don Brawshaw: Charlies Promise
- Edward Thompson: AFPA Trust
- Issac Kennedy, Novuna: Coach Core
- James Rudolf, Acquis: Motor Neurone
- Jim Higginbotham, NACFB: Unbeatable Eva Foundation
- Justin Hubble, Triple Point: Challenge 51 (Royal Marsden) –
- Peter Golding, NETSOL: Royal Marsden –
- Philip Benke, CGI: St Michael’s Hospice
- Stuart Williams, Victor Finance: Lindsey Lodge Hospice
- Tim Canham, DND Finance, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex Air Ambulance
- Ben Nadel, Woodhurst: Tommy’s Pregnancy & Baby Charity
