Pictured above: Challinors Jolyon Canlin (centre) with his
four cycling buddies, after completing Wales' Lon Las Cycling
Challenge and raising over £3,000 for charity
A criminal law Associate Solicitor with Midlands law firm
Challinors, Jolyon Canlin, was one of five amateur cyclists to
complete one of Wales' most grueling long distance cycle routes and
raise over £3,000 for charities Help for Heroes and Cancer
Research.
A Solicitor and Higher Courts Advocate in the Criminal Defence
department of Challinors, Jolyon with cycling friends Neil
Griffiths, Graham Schultz, Simon Thwaite and Simon Whittam, cycled
the 260-plus mile Lon Las Cycle Route in five days last month.
The journey began in Cardiff and included sections through the
Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and Carnarvon, with the group cycling
over 50 miles each day.
Scheduled to finish in Holyhead, the official end of the Lon Las
Route, the five cyclists opted to continue cycling and head for the
coast, as Jolyon explains:
"Part-way through the challenge, we decided to carry on cycling
for an extra six miles to the coast and make the spectacular South
Stack lighthouse, just outside Holyhead, our own final landmark and
end of the challenge.
"The challenge itself was at times as grueling as we were
expecting. Most days we were in the saddle at 9am and just kept
going for as long as we could. Day three was a landmark day for
many reasons, particularly as it seemed to be the day for crashes!
I slipped on some very wet ground and skidded along the ground for
more than ten metres, whilst Simon T took a spectacular fall from
his bike when his chain came off, resulting in a pretty bad gash on
his knee. I think that was only to divert attention from his
fall on Day 1, whilst stationary at traffic lights!
"It was all worth it though, and we are all thrilled to have
already passed the £3,000 mark on our fundraising for the two
charities, and donations are still coming in, both on and
off-line."
Challinors Partner and head of the Criminal Defence team, Ghulam
Sohail adds: "Challinors is delighted at the effort put into this
challenge by Joe and his cycling colleagues, and is proud to have
sponsored the event. We would encourage as many people as possible
to consider making a donation, however small and even at this
stage, for the two very worthwhile charities."
The five friends have cycled together for some time. Training in
the run-up to the Lon Las Cycle challenge was based on an average
of 30 miles road cycling each day Monday to Friday, with a minimum
50-mile cycle session on the weekends, as well as some training in
the gym.
For information about the Lon Las Long Distance Cycle Challenge
and to make a donation, visit:
http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/5men-5bikes-1country-LonLas.
Challinors has offices in Birmingham, West Bromwich,
Wolverhampton, Halesowen and Nottingham. It has 21 partners and
over 100 fee earners, and is ranked as one of the top legal firms
in the West Midlands. The firm is Number 1 in the Chambers UK
Directory in a number of categories, including Crime and Clinical
Negligence.
Challinors' Business and Serious Crime department represents
private and publically funded clients in matters
investigated/prosecuted by CPS, HMRC, SOCA, SFO and the Counter
Terrorism Unit. Recent successes have including defending in a
Counter Terrorism prosecution, representing a Customs Officer and
CPS caseworker in relation to allegations of corruption. The team
offers 24 hour/7 days a week cover and legal support to
clients.