Tim’s ‘Tour de France’ is a monstrous challenge

A Birmingham boss is halfway through a monstrous challenge that includes cycling over 1,200 kilometres in a gruelling ‘Tour de France’ style charity event.

Tim Andrews, managing director of graphics and signage experts Hollywood Monster, has been joined by Simon Jenkins, senior vice president of the development team at global property group Prologis, and Wragge & Co real estate partner Mike Trainer for the duration of the challenge.

The three left Tim’s hometown of Solihull last week and cycled to Paris, via London, on the first leg of the event, raising money for the Marie Curie cancer charity.

Last week they were joined by more than 50 property professionals for the 340-mile Prologis Challenge Bike Ride – the second leg of the trip. They will cycle across France and into Geneva, Switzerland, a journey in which they will climb 2,000 metres then over the Jura mountain range. They are due to reach their destination on Saturday.

Tim, who recently ran a marathon and cycled 75 miles on the same day alongside ‘Blind’ Dave Heeley in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, said he was enjoying the challenge and the camaraderie.

“We had a great journey from Solihull to Paris with no real problems so that has been a great warm-up for the next leg of the challenge. Simon, Mike and I are all good friends so we’ve supported each other along the way.

“It will be tough through the Jura mountain range as we head for Geneva – that’s when the legs and the lungs will really start to burn. One section is straight from the Tour de France so I’m sure that’s going to hurt, but it’s all for a good cause.”

Hollywood Monster – Birmingham’s biggest graphics solutions business – recently played a starring role when celebrities including Pixie Lott and Nicole Scherzinger launched Europe’s largest shopping centre in London. The 200,000 visitors at Westfield Stratford City on launch day were greeted by the UK’s largest ever banner display which wraps the stunning new Westfield Stratford City next to the Olympic stadium in the East End. The banner was produced by the company at its at its Tyseley headquarters.