Nigel Toplis, managing director of The Bardon Group, cycled 540k from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Angkor Wat (Cambodia), raising £7,000 for the charity WellChild.

The trek was a true endurance challenge. Nigel cycled up to 100k per day in temperatures of 90 degrees at 90 percent humidity. He encountered many difficulties on the ride, such as a monsoon thunderstorm, which struck when he was still 10k from the finishing point for that day.

Nigel was part of a team of ten cyclists including a colleague from Recognition Express, Russell Golding, and they were all supported by an experienced ground crew. He believes their success was down to strong team dynamics, good communication and a positive attitude.

“I’ve taken part in endurance challenges before, but this trek was really tough,” says Nigel. “Even though we’d all trained beforehand, nothing could prepare you for some of the challenges we faced. However, this was an adventure that I’d made a decision to take part in. The children and families supported by WellChild are facing huge challenges every day. Their courage and resilience is truly inspiring, and I’d like to thank every one of my sponsors for their kind donations.”

WellChild helps seriously ill children and their families throughout the UK as they deal with the consequences of complex conditions and exceptional health needs. Many of these children spend months or years in hospital because there is no support enabling them to leave. WellChild’s vision is to give them the best chance to thrive, at home with their families.

The Bardon Group has been supporting WellChild for over a decade and Nigel’s previous endurance challenges have raised more than £50,000. In addition to the Vietnam-Cambodia bike ride, he has cycled across Cuba, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and trekked through the Sahara and the Sumatran jungle.

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