ALEXANDRA ABRAMS

Advisor for Partnerships to the World Council of Peoples for the United Nations / Impact Advisor and Producer

Big Change

Big Change's mission is to improve the lives of young people in the UK. We identify and partner with charitable projects at an early stage of their development and give them the support they need to grow and ultimately drive systemic change. For example, in early 2013, we recognised that social work was an area that profoundly impacted the lives of children in need all over the UK and that the system that served those children could be better. We are now founding partners of Frontline, a programme that recruits and trains outstanding individuals in children's social work with a view to improving the quality of social work and raising its profile as a profession in the UK

The Virgin STRIVE Challenge

The Virgin STRIVE Challenge is a multi-discipline endurance event, taking place in August this year, which will see a core team, including Sam Branson, Marion Bartoli and Ade Adepitan, travel from London to the summit of the Matterhorn in Switzerland, entirely under human power. Hundreds of others, including Sir Richard Branson, Jack Whitehall, Princess Beatrice and Jamie Oliver will join the core team across the different legs. These legs are three back-to-back marathons to the coast, rowing the English Channel, cycling to Verbier, hiking to Zermatt and then climbing the Matterhorn, all of which will take just over a month (August 2014). All proceeds raised by the Virgin STRIVE Challenge will go to Big Change, a charity Holly and Sam Branson co-founded, dedicated to improving the lives of young people in the UK.

The Cycle Legs

Once the core team have run from London to Dover (3 consecutive marathons over 3 days) and then rowed across the Chanel – the cycle stages begin! If cycling across France sounds like your cup of tea then read on because there are two options for anyone who would like to join: “the Champagne Leg”, an easier ride across northern France to Troyes and then the “Mustard Leg”, a more challenging ride that finishes high in the Swiss Alps.

1. “The Champagne Leg” (12th – 17th August, including travel days)

This stage is perfect for the intermediate cyclist, taking in roughly 110km a day (with one day of 130km) on flatter terrain. Officially known as the Champagne Leg, the route winds through the unique and historic province of North Eastern France, known for one thing – its fizz! The stage starts at Boulogne, passing through and overnighting in Arras, St Quentin, Reims and finishing in Troyes. Cyclists will leave their bikes at a Big Yellow Storage in Twickenham to be transported by lorry to France and will then travel by Eurostar to Calais on the 12th August. After a half hour bus journey to Boulogne on the morning of the 13th, the four days of cycling begins in earnest. On arrival in Troyes on the 16th we will celebrate the end of the first cycle stage and then cyclists not staying on for the second cycle stage will fly back to London from Paris in the morning of the 17th August. Bikes will follow in a lorry a few days behind.

Entry fee: £1,500

Fundraising target: £2,000

Entry fee inclusions: return travel (Eurostar) from London to/from your start/finish hotels in France, airport/hotel transfers in France, accommodation in twin rooms including breakfast, three course dinners in the evening, food & drink en route throughout the days ride, transport of bikes to/from Europe, selected items of official event kit, access to expert cyclists for training, bike set up advice, support team including: medics, physios, mechanics, catering, route management and a 15% discount on any Boardman bike from Halfords.

You will have to provide: Bike, padded cycling shorts x 2, cycling shoes, helmet, gloves, wind/rain proof cycling jacket, water bottles, sun/cycling glasses, day bag, travel insurance (you will have to alert your insurer to the type of activity you are doing).

To join us on this leg go to Take Part on the Challenge Website and fill in your details – registration will be complete once you have made payment and we will be in touch very soon afterwards to confirm.

2. “The Mustard Leg” (17th – 22nd August, including travel days)

The second stage, known as “The Mustard Leg”, as much for its sweat inducing distances as its location, caters for the more experienced cyclist, who will be covering 155km a day over much more hilly terrain. As the riders get closer to Verbier the climbs get steeper and the final two days will be a test for any cyclist, however experienced, with the continual switchbacks for 7km up to Verbier providing a fitting finale to a great 4 days of cycling. The route passes through Dijon, Macon and Neydens before finally reaching Verbier. Cyclists on the Mustard leg will also deliver their bikes to the Big Yellow Storage unit in Twickenham before the stage start and will fly from Heathrow to Paris and then onto Troyes by bus on the 17th August. Here they will meet the Core Team and cyclists from the first stage staying on, who will be having a well-earned rest day. The follow morning it will be back on the bikes for everyone to set off in the direction of Verbier. Again, we will celebrate the end of the cycle stages on the evening of the 21st before all cyclists are transferred to Geneva where they will fly home to London from. Again, bikes will follow in a lorry a few days behind.

Entry fee: £1,500

Fundraising target: £2,000

Entry fee inclusions: return travel (Eurostar and flights) from London to/from your start/finish hotels in France and Switzerland, airport/hotel transfers in France and Switzerland, accommodation in twin rooms including breakfast, three course dinners in the evening, food & drink en route throughout the days ride, transport of bikes to/from Europe, selected items of official event kit, access to expert cyclists for training, bike set up advice, support team including: medics, physios, mechanics, catering, route management and a 15% discount on any Boardman bike from Halfords.