The 2026 Ride4Life team have made it, completing their biggest challenge yet from London to Amsterdam.
The annual charity cycle has seen many Ardonagh colleagues from across the UK and beyond don cleats and Lycra to raise money for a host of worthy causes, with 2026 marking the tenth anniversary. To date, the ride has raised over £90,000, with this year’s event set to take them well over £100,000.
Setting off on Sunday 21 June, the team completed over 300 miles, made three ferry crossings and travelled through four countries – the 2026 ride one like never before and a fitting way to mark the occasion.
This year, Ride4Life are raising funds for suicide prevention charity, Samaritans, which provide lifesaving support service across the UK and Ireland to anyone in crisis.
They’re well on their way to surpass their fundraising goal of £20,000, with the teams total then matched by Ardonagh’s independent charity, ACT (Ardonagh Community Trust).
Get behind this ambition by donating to the Ride4Life Just Giving page.
At the starting line in London, with fresh legs ahead of the epic challenge.
Celebrating in Amsterdam, having covered 300 miles.
A huge well done to the team:
- Gavin Pumford, Geo Underwriting
- Nick Lerway, Friend of the ride
- Max Burrows, Group Functions
- Paul Longhurst, Chairman, Ardonagh Specialty
- Ryan Coles, Price Forbes
- Alexander Rathke, Capital IM
- Sarah Welsh, Everywhen
- Lisa Louis, Friend of the ride
- Rob Worrell, CEO, Everywhen
- Paul Emery, Atlanta Group
- Paul Exton, Friend of the ride
And the amazing support team, including:
- Gary Bennett, Lutine
- Jay Davies, Group Functions
The longest journey yet
On Sunday 21 June, the longest day of the year, the team set off from The Lamb Tavern in London’s iconic Leadenhall Market (and where the very first Ride4Life event ended in 2016).
From there, it was pedal power to Dover, taking on the June heat to catch the ferry to Calais, France. Having crossed the Channel, the route continued into Belgium and then the Netherlands, with two more ferry crossings along the way.
A challenge in every definition, taking on mileage, ferry timings and a heatwave, the group rolled into Amsterdam just before midnight the next day, 22 June. An amazing feat!
The story behind the ride
Ride4Life’s story began 2016, when it was founded by Lutine Director and ACT Employee Representative, Andy Coles, and his close friend, Damien. Andy was a passionate advocate for doing good, and together with his friend Damien Natale and a core group of colleagues from across Ardonagh, he led the first ever event from Doncaster to London in the UK to raise vital funds for charity.
The ride quickly became an annual tradition, with different routes being conceived each year and different colleagues from around the Group getting on the saddle – but always in aid of a good cause.
A new meaning
In 2020, the ride took on a new meaning, when whilst on a training ride, Andy and Damien were tragically killed.
This reinforced the spirit of the challenge to make a difference, and the team have continued to cycle with Andy and Damien’s passion for giving at its core.
Since the inaugural ride, the Ride4Life team have pedalled across the UK, France, Ireland and Portugal – with the Netherlands offering new (and thankfully largely flat!) terrain in 2026 – welcoming riders from across the Group along the way.
Andy’s legacy is also remembered with the annual ACT Spotlight Award, which recognises the humble heroes across Ardonagh who, beyond their role, give back to people and causes.
More on the ride
Make a donation of any sum directly to the Ride4Life Just Giving page.
Visit the Ride4Life section on Engage
Head over to the Ride4Life website theride4life.com