HR Owen service manager Paul King has raised over £3,000 for NHS Charities Together with a 197-miile, 10-hour COVID-19 cycling challenge.

Having witnessed the relentless work of NHS workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and from losing a close friend to the virus, King wanted to give something back, so he opted to undertake his own nightshift – with a difference.

King set up his static bike in his garden and, as the final ‘Big Clap’ for the NHS got underway, he began cycling.

Using an at-home training tool, King paced himself to maintain energy throughout the 10 hours, so maintained a steady pace of 15 to 20mph.

HR Owen service manager Paul King embarks on his 10 hour cycling fund-raiser

Friends and family called in to keep King company during his challenge and even cycled along parts of the route at home on their exercise bikes.

King said: “Against the backdrop of what many key workers are contending with now, this challenge really isn’t all that difficult.

"Having lost a very close friend to the virus I, like many others, know how devastating it can be, and I hope the money we’ve raised here can help make a difference to their work.

“I’ll be forever in the NHS’s debt thanks to the miraculous work they did in helping me back in the saddle after I shattered my pelvis in 2015, so I’ll continue to do all I can to support them.”

Following King’s nightshift, he headed back to the office, where he is looking after the newly-reopened HR Owen aftersales sites at HR Owen Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti and Maserati.

HR Owen service manager Paul King celebrates the success of his 10 hour cycling fund-raiser

To support Paul’s Night Shift, click here