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.

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.

To support Paul’s Night Shift, click here