Cool FM trio smash £100,000 target as epic 800-mile cycle raises £201,478
Cool FM Breakfast presenters at the finish line (L-R) Paulo Ross, Rebecca McKinney, and Pete Snodden
Cool FM Breakfast presenters Pete Snodden, Paulo Ross and Rebecca McKinney have more than doubled their fundraising target after completing an extraordinary 800-mile cycle from Paris to Banbridge.
The trio crossed the finish line at The Boulevard in Banbridge on Saturday, 12 September, where they discovered their gruelling six-day challenge had raised £201,478 for Cash for Kids.
They had originally set out to raise more than £100,000 to support children and young people across Northern Ireland affected by poverty, illness, disability and additional needs.
𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲
The final figure was revealed as Pete, Paulo and Rebecca completed the last leg of their journey, with hundreds of supporters gathering at The Boulevard to welcome them home.
Cool FM presenter Rebecca McKinney on the ‘home straight’
The achievement capped six demanding days in the saddle after the trio set off from Paris and cycled through France before crossing the English Channel and continuing through England and Scotland.
They then travelled by ferry from Stranraer to Belfast before completing the final stretch to Banbridge.
Over the course of the challenge, the presenters faced long days on the bike, difficult weather and thousands of metres of climbing as they pushed towards their fundraising goal.
‘𝗪𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’
Reflecting on the journey after reaching the finish line, Pete Snodden said the experience had demonstrated what could be achieved through teamwork and determination.
Pete said:
“This has simply been the most unbelievable experience and confirms what can be achieved when we work as a team and believe in each other. We’ve experienced the highs and lows, we’ve battled winds and rain, we’ve laughed and cried together…and it’s all to the benefit of local children who really do need these vital funds.
“Thanks to all who have been with us both in person and in spirit, and particularly to those have helped us achieve our fundraising goal.”
The £201,478 total means the team finished the challenge with more than twice the £100,000 they had initially hoped to raise.
‘𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲’
Pete, Rebecca, and Paulo with Steve Mosley, Omexom
The challenge was sponsored by Omexom, with Steve Mosley part of the back-up team supporting the cyclists throughout the six-day journey.
He said:
“This has been the ultimate challenge. Omexom is beyond proud to have supported Pete, Paulo and Rebecca, and helped them reach this amazing goal. Their collective effort fully captures the spirt of Cash for Kids and the important work it delivers to those who need it most.”
For Pete, Paulo and Rebecca, the welcome in Banbridge brought six gruelling days and 800 miles on the road to an emotional close — with £201,478 raised to help children and young people across Northern Ireland, more than double the target they had set themselves.
