At thebestofworthing's latest Networking4 event on the 5th December Darren Crabb, Mark Price, Darren Ford, Michael and Dayne presented a cheque for £2,500 which they raised cycling the South Downs Way for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

We asked Darren Crabb to give us an insight into how they came about organising and finishing this challenge...

The fundraising event we recently undertook was set up for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which we decided to do after meeting the representitive at the Autumn Networking4 evening. We wanted to raise funds to assist the unfortunate teenagers who hear this sad news every day and try to make a difference to their lives and their future.

However, when we originally said we would do this event I don't think we really understood what we were all letting ourselves in for!

It was a huge reality shock on the first training session for some of us more than others and none of us were sure we would actually be able to do the whole ride! We then all started to realise how much behind the scenes work needed to be done and we divided the work between Mark, Darren and myself, each organising a part of the challenge.

During the lead up to the event it became apparent that we needed to raise our game on the marketing side. We would like to thank thebestofworthing and Essentially Worthing who came into play helping us to promote this worthy cause. Mark Price also approached the Worthing Herald and we managed to get some press coverage in here also.

We are extremely grateful for the help and support we received along the way. We would like to say a big thank you to Chandlers BMW in Angmering who agreed to lend us the transport for ensuring we could get there and have a vehicle to support us. We then realised that we had this vehicle but no driver! Dayne Blackburn who is the British Super Moto GP Champion agreed to help and do this role. Over the period of 48 hours he clocked up over 500 miles in driving and over 19 hours sat in a van waiting for us with food, water and various check points. He also assisted in maintaining the bikes as well to give us a break when needed.

The whole event took approximately 20 hours of cycling over 2 days - the first day being 12 hours and the second being 8 hours. With 12 punctures, one broken chain and all of us apart from Darren Ford coming off our bikes we have managed to raise over £2,500 without gift aid and with gift aid of an additional £575. e will reach the £3,000 target after just giving have removed the 5% combined with the two cheques recently collected. St James Place have also agreed to match this amount £1 for £1 and so a further £2,500 will go towards their chosen childrens charities.

We are all very grateful for the sponsorship that has been provided by everyone and wish to thank all involved in assisting us with the marketing. We would also like to thank the churches homeless bike shop in the Strand for their help in getting the bikes ready for the event as well.