Isle of Wight Cycle Challenge raises more than £41,000 for Transaid

19th May 2026

News Summary:

• 27 cyclists have completed a 225 km cycle challenge in the UK, raising funds for Transaid’s life-saving projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The two-day ride from Dorking to the Isle of Wight raised more than £41,000, with riders taking part from 10 businesses across the road transport sector.
• Focus now shifts to a 454 km cycle challenge in Tanzania this coming September, with the last few places remaining.

A team of 27 cyclists has completed Transaid’s first fundraising cycle challenge of the year, tackling a 225 km ride from Dorking to the Isle of Wight, raising more than £41,000 to support Transaid’s road safety and access to healthcare projects across sub-Saharan Africa.

Over two days in the saddle, riders took on challenging climbs, long-distance endurance cycling, and varied terrain, while collectively raising vital unrestricted funds for Transaid’s life-saving transport and healthcare initiatives. The fundraising total includes generous support from event sponsors Dawsongroup and Stanley Travel, while Lucketts Travel provided complimentary return coach travel for all participants.

The challenge began with a climb of the iconic Box Hill, as featured in the 2012 London Olympics, before continuing over 120 km to the Portsmouth-Fishbourne ferry. On day two, participants completed a spectacular 106 km bucket list loop of the beautiful Isle of Wight, taking in testing climbs, sweeping descents, and a constantly changing backdrop of seaside villages, chalk cliffs, wooded glens, and historic landmarks.

Supporting safer roads and access to healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa

Anna Giavedoni, Events Manager at Transaid, says: “This challenge was no leisurely ride around the island, but as always, our cyclists dug deep and the beauty of the route and the good cause they were all supporting helped to distract from its difficulty! We are always so impressed by the passion and commitment shown by our cycle challenge participants, and indebted to them for their commitment to both fundraising and putting in the hard work in the saddle.

“The unrestricted funds raised from events like these allow us to launch new pilot projects with the potential to transform and save lives. We’re now looking ahead to our second cycle challenge in 2026 coming up this autumn, when a group of riders will take on our Kilimanjaro to Coast challenge in Tanzania.”

Participants represented 10 companies from across the transport and logistics industry, including Asset Alliance Group, Backhouse Jones, Dawsongroup, GXO, Iron Mountain, IVECO, The Malcolm Group, NewCold, Stanley Travel and TRS Tyres.

Kilimanjaro to Coast 2026

Transaid’s next overseas fundraising event, the Kilimanjaro to Coast Cycle Challenge, will take place in Tanzania from 17–26 September 2026. The 10-day challenge includes five days of cycling and covers an epic 454 km route from the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro to the Tanzanian coast.

There are only a few places remaining. To register or find out more, please contact Anna Giavedoni at anna@transaid.org or call +44 (0)20 7387 8136. Registrations close on Monday 25 May.