Amazing day spent mostly with ANSELL – our lovely primary sponsors of the Amsterdam to Geneva stage of Ride to the Rock.

We cycled from the hotel to the office about 0900 and were met by the lovely Mathilde who has worked extremely hard organising today.

We soon met the rest of the team who warmly welcomed us to the office.

There were a few technical bits and bobs to sort out. This was a hybrid meeting with about a dozen people in the room and over ONE HUNDRED people watching virtually – I’m glad I was told that after the presentation!

Before the presentation we went outside for a few photos by François de Ribaucourt and the handover of an enormous cheque – with a donation of £5000. This = Oxygen masks, dressings, pain relief and vaccines in the form of a cheque.

After this we went inside for the presentation. This began with a very lovely recorded message from my friend and Vice President & General manager at Ansell – Paul Bryce. It was extremely moving for me to hear Paul’s kind words.

I then spoke about my work with MSF and the fundraising campaign that goes on. I know I ran over time and am grateful for everyone’s patience – once I get going I struggle to shut up!

We finished with some lovely vegan food and a chat plus the presentation of two mascots for the rest of the trip. Yet to be named – Tracey does skin surgery so she got the surgeon, I took the lovely nurse.

We left the office soon after this and headed for the MSF office to say hello. We were welcomed and supported by the guys at OCB (Operational Centre Brussels). They took some photos for their social media and helped us with some contacts in OCP OCG & OCBA (Paris, Geneva & Barcelona). Lovely folks.

Into France tomorrow!

Please keep spreading the word and thank you all for your support.

Andy