Dear all,

SportInspired is a charity with a mission to improve physical and mental wellbeing of children living some of the UK’s poorest communities. My employer UBS has partnered with SportInspired for over 15 years: we help organise and finance events that are fun, where through sports and physical activity, children and young people can have fun, develop courage and confidence, and also build a sense of purpose.

Together with 40 crazy colleagues I will cycle in August over 5 days from Munich to Padua in Italy, crossing the Alps in a 750km journey climbing around 12,000m. The route will require us to tackle some famously difficult climbs, the Grossglocker pass - Austria’s highest mountain pass - and Passo Giau and Monte Grappa which feature regularly in the Giro.

This will not be a race, and it’s essential to me that we help each other throughout and complete as a team. I’ve trained a lot to prepare: my son and I cycled the NorthCoast500 over a week, a 900km route that winds and climbs around Northern Scotland. I’ve done many rides with friends and colleagues and feel prepared!

I thank you warmly for your donations,

Christophe

More on SportInspired:

For 15 years SportInspired has been working directly with children and young people from the UKs most deprived communities, those that fall in to the highest 20% of deprivation. These children and young people are already 3x more likely to experience mental health issues than their more affluent peers, their chances of obesity are doubled by age 11 and unemployment prospects are high.

Over the years we have created a sports-based development programme uniquely underpinned by the power of fun and connection. We instil the requisite behaviours, skills and beliefs to improve wellbeing and overall life chances of those who need it most.