Boys will complete cycle despite loss of funds

The family of two Acton teenagers on an epic cycle ride welcomed them home for a brief stop over as donations start to build up again for the charity.

Thousands of pounds went missing and The Charity Commission launched an investigation into the online donation site, 'CharityGiving' while the boys were on their charity cycle in France.

The boys, William Price (14) and Fabrice Lavenir (16) both play for Wasps, and, alongside lifelong friend Robert (67) a retired French patissier, have been cycling 3150 km from Budapest to Moulin in France. They will turn around and cycle back to France to complete the cycle, despite the news of the investigation.

They're raising money for the French Red Cross and the Serge Betsen academy which uses rugby to help disadvantaged and underprivileged children in Cameroon.

Serge Betsen Tchoua is a French former rugby union player who played as a flanker for London Wasps and Biarritz at club level and for France internationally.

Nearly three thousand pounds had been raised when the families heard that the donation site 'Charity Giving' had been suspended for mismanagement of funds.

William's mother, Sally Price, said the boys had been welcomed by the French Red Cross during their time in northern France.

They arrived back to a welcome party at Twyford Avenue this weekend before heading back down to France to complete the 2,000 mile cycle.

A new donation site has now been set up and family and friends are appealing for people to support them on the new site.

In 2011, Robert and William completed their first sporting challenge in aid of the Serge Betsen Academy by undertaking a 671 mile cycle ride from London to Moulins in France. They raised 8,000 euros and were able to help this charity to improve the lives of seriously underprivileged children in Cameroon.

31st July 2013