Meet the agents who cycled around Lake Geneva for charity
Husband-and-wife Not Just Travel agents Kate and Dave Parkyn recently cycled around Lake Geneva to raise money for charity during the pandemic. Kate Parkyn tells Abra Dunsby about the experience.
Not Just Travel agents Kate and Dave Parkyn, who moved to Switzerland 30 years ago, decided to embrace a challenge during the pandemic and cycle around the circumference of Lake Geneva to raise more than £400 for charity last month.
The married couple have been keen cyclists since Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, and took on the Prudential Ride London 100-mile challenge in 2015 and 2016 to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now.
This year the duo took to the saddle again to cycle 120 miles around Lake Geneva to complete Virtual Ride London 2020, to support Breast Cancer Now and Mind, another charity that’s close to their hearts.
Kate, owner of Go Supreme at Not Just Travel, explains: “Both of our fathers suffered with dementia at the end of their lives. It’s such a cruel disease. Also my daughter has suffered with depression. I think at the moment people will be struggling with their mental health, and for people with depression it must be so difficult. With everything going on at the moment we thought we’d do out bit to help.”
Kate and Dave also raised money for the same two charities last year, when they joined other Not Just Travel consultants on a trek to Colombia’s Lost City.
Tough conditions
Kate says the cycle was particularly tough, in part due to an injury, which meant “lack of preparation”, and also because of the warm temperatures. “We did the cycle on the weekend of the 15th and 16th August and it was 30 degrees plus,” says Kate. “It was a quite a challenge. The lake is huge and honestly it seemed a bit mad to think of cycling around it!”
Despite the difficulties, the pair enjoyed the experience, says Kate. “We [were] a little saddle sore and [had] tired legs but it’s worth it if we can raise enough cash to even help one person suffering with their mental health or who has received a cancer diagnosis,” she says.
She adds that the experience also allowed the couple to take in and showcase the beauty of Lake Geneva in summer. “It would be great if, when we can all travel again, we can encourage people to think about visiting Switzerland in the summer,” she says. “The lake is stunning and Geneva is very cycle friendly, especially since Covid as they have taken a lane away from cars.”
Kate and Dave promoted the cycle ride on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and Kate says clients were very supportive. “Some even sponsored us, which was lovely,” she says.
She encourages agents who are considering a charity challenge during this time to do so, especially since many charities are currently being hit by the impacts of Covid-19. “If you’ve never done a marathon or a big sporting event before you might not realise just how much the charities rely on those [large-scale events] for a huge chunk of their income.
“It seems a lot right now to ask people if they can possibly spare a small donation, but charities really need our help this year more than ever.”
To donate to Kate and Dave Parkyn’s charity page, click here
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