Creative consultants, architect and property professionals swap the office for the saddle to tackle a gruelling 575-mile charity ride across Europe
An unlikely team of creative growth consultants, architect and property professionals have completed an epic cycling challenge across Europe, raising money and awareness for children’s cancer charity Sophie’s Legacy.
Carswell Gould Creative Director Ed Gould and Managing Director Gareth Miller joined Andrew Browett of Ashwood Design Associates and Tim Clark of Vail Williams to take on the Heidelberg Challenge 2026, a gruelling three-day ride through four European countries.
Joined by more than 150 fellow cyclists, the four-strong team set off from Arras in northern France before riding through Belgium and Luxembourg, crossing into Germany and eventually reaching the finish line in Stuttgart.
The challenge saw riders spend three demanding days in the saddle, tackling long distances, steep climbs and some of Europe’s most spectacular countryside.
The first stage took them from Arras to Arlon in Luxembourg, covering 214 miles through the Ardennes. Day Two involved a 177-mile ride from Arlon to Mainz across the Hunsrück mountains, before the final leg took the cyclists from Mainz, through Heidelberg and onto Stuttgart.
The charity event was run by Challenge Adventure Charities. Since inception, the challenges have raised £4.75m for the worthy causes supported over the years. The biggest event was the Ultimate Challenge involving 115 teams and 460 people, which raised £379,412. The Carswell Gould team has raised more than£1,360 so far for Sophie’s Legacy, with 100% of donations going to the charity.
Cycling for a cause that matters
Sophie’s Legacy was founded by Charlotte Fairall in memory of her daughter Sophie, who died from Rhabdomyosarcoma aged just 10 in September 2021.
Since launching in 2022, Sophie’s Legacy has supported families across 12 hospitals and 40 wards on the South Coast, providing practical support including food trolleys, snack and toiletry boxes, transport costs, emergency clothing and birthday celebrations for children receiving treatment.
The charity also campaigns nationally for the changes Sophie called for and helped secure Parliament’s first debate dedicated to childhood cancer in 2022. https://www.sophieslegacy.org.uk/
Ed Gould, Creative Director at Carswell Gould, said:
“As this was my first major cycling challenge, I wasn’t quite sure what I’d let myself in for when I signed up. It was tough, particularly some of those climbs, but it was also an incredible experience.
“What kept us going was knowing why we were doing it. Sophie’s story and her determination to make things better for other children is incredibly powerful.”
Gareth Miller, Managing Director at Carswell Gould, said:
“When I signed up, I knew that riding hundreds of miles across Europe in three days was going to be a serious challenge, and the reality certainly didn’t disappoint.
“There were some very long days in the saddle, some brutal climbs and plenty of moments when Stuttgart felt a very long way away.
“But having a team around you makes a huge difference. We were constantly encouraging each other, taking turns at the front and working together to keep moving. It was a genuine team effort from start to finish.
“We’re hugely grateful to everybody who supported us and donated.”
A challenge with a major fundraising legacy
The Heidelberg Challenge was organised by Challenge Adventure Charities (CAC), which has been running large-scale cycling challenges since 1996.
CAC founder Stuart Elliott said:
“The combination of camaraderie, marvellous routes, a real challenge and sense of adventure, whilst raising serious amounts of money for good causes, has created a spirit to the challenge which has proved durable over the years.”
Donations still welcome
Supporters can continue to donate to Sophie’s Legacy through the team’s fundraising pages:
Gareth Miller:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/gareth-miller-heidelberg-challenge
Ed Gould:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/edward-gould-3
For more information about Challenge Adventure Charities, visit:
https://www.challengeadventurecharities.org.uk/about-us
