Rail infrastructure team raises more than £16,500 for the Royal British Legion during four-day cycling challenge from London to Paris
A team from RSS Infrastructure and Auctus Management Group has completed the Royal British Legion’s Pedal to Paris 2026 challenge, raising more than £16,500 and taking the companies’ fundraising across seven rides to over £100,000.
The six-strong team – Richard Toy, Sean Harrison, Ryan Spence, Steven Broadfield, James Voisey and Darren Simms – completed four days of cycling from Biggin Hill to Paris, travelling through Kent and northern France before joining the full Pedal to Paris peloton for the final ride into the heart of the French capital.
For RSS Infrastructure, the challenge also demonstrated the strength of the relationships built across the rail and wider infrastructure sector, with suppliers, partners, advisers and industry organisations among the 28 sponsors backing this year’s team.
The team’s original fundraising target was £16,000. They learned during a particularly challenging second day, which included difficult wind and rain, that the target had been reached.
The milestone gave the riders a welcome boost and also marked a significant achievement for the wider business, taking the total raised for the Royal British Legion across seven Pedal to Paris events to more than £100,000.
Richard Toy, CEO of Auctus Management Group, said:
“Reaching our £16,000 target during the ride was a fantastic moment, particularly on what had been a long and difficult day. To then realise that it also took our fundraising across seven rides beyond £100,000 made it even more special.
“That total has only been possible because of the incredible generosity of our sponsors, colleagues, friends, families and everyone who has donated and supported us over the years. We have received fantastic backing from across the rail and infrastructure community, and the messages we received throughout the four days gave the riders a real lift.”
The team was supported this year by 28 sponsors, many drawn from RSS Infrastructure and Auctus Management Group’s network across rail, construction, civils and the wider supply chain.
Their logos featured on a bespoke cycling jersey worn by the riders from Day 2 onwards.
The jerseys generated considerable interest from other participants during the ride and provided a visible reminder of the number of businesses and organisations that had come together to support the fundraising effort.
That support included Rail Forum, alongside a broad range of suppliers, contractors, advisers and industry partners.
Pedal to Paris combines a demanding cycling challenge with moments of remembrance and reflection.
The riders took part in commemoration ceremonies during the journey, including a final Remembrance ceremony beneath the Arc de Triomphe after arriving in Paris.
Another memorable part of the route was a scheduled stop in Auchy-la-Montagne, a French village liberated by British soldiers on 8 September 1944.
For around 30 years, villagers have welcomed Pedal to Paris riders with food, wine and hospitality as a continuing expression of gratitude. Residents of all ages came out once again this year to support the cyclists.
The four-day event is supported by a large Royal British Legion team, including Ride Captains, rider support crews, outriders, mechanics, medics and logistics staff.
The RSS Infrastructure and Auctus riders also paid tribute to the people working behind the scenes to keep hundreds of cyclists safe, supported and moving throughout the event.
Pedal to Paris raises funds for the Royal British Legion’s work supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families. This can include practical help for veterans facing homelessness, rehabilitation and mobility support for injured service personnel, and financial advice and emergency assistance for military families experiencing hardship.
Sean Harrison, Managing Director of RSS Infrastructure, said:
“Pedal to Paris is an incredible event because the challenge, camaraderie and fundraising all come together around one very important purpose.
“We are extremely proud of our riders, but we are also very grateful for the support we have received from businesses and organisations across the rail sector and our wider network. It shows the strength of the relationships that exist across our industry and what can be achieved when people get behind a shared cause.”
The final stage saw the riders leave Beauvais in four groups before coming together with the wider field as one large peloton for the final kilometres into central Paris.
After four days on the road, the arrival was an emotional moment for many of the riders, with family and friends waiting to welcome them at the finish.
RSS Infrastructure and Auctus Management Group shared photographs, videos and rider updates throughout the four days, allowing colleagues, sponsors, clients and supporters across the industry to follow the challenge almost in real time.
The coverage generated significant interest, including messages from people asking how they could take part in a future event.
Richard added:
“One of the really encouraging things has been the number of people who have contacted us asking about getting involved next year.
“There are different riding groups and speeds, so it isn’t just an event for elite cyclists. If the interest continues, we would love to see an even bigger Auctus and RSS Infrastructure team taking part next time – and hopefully even more involvement from across the rail community.”
At the time of writing, the team’s 2026 fundraising total stands at more than £16,500, with donations still being accepted.