End of Day 24 - Final day

Today was the final day and we approached it with a bit of "I am glad it is all over" but "what are we going to do tomorrow and next?"

Anyway after a great night spent at CVOC trustee's house Paul Holroyd and bacon butties to get us on our way we set off for London. It is strange to say but after 2,500 miles 25 did not seem very far. Anyway our first port of call was at the BTP HQ in Camden north London where we were greeted by police officers and community support officers.

We were then picked up by our police escort, solo motorcyclists PC Howard Taylor from the City and PC Rob Sterry from the Met together with two City Police cyclists who took us down to NSY. This was a real experience as we were waved through junctions with whistles blowing. When we passed Buckingham Palace I think the startled tourists waiting for the changing of the guard thought the Queen was coming but sadly for them it was only us, but we got a big cheer anyway.

Then into Scotland Yard where were greeted by Det Supt Reg Hooke and DC Ken Palmer from the Mets Child Abuse Investigation Command who presented us with a cheque.
We were also joined there by James Cleverly AM, The Mayor of London's Young Persons Ambassador who rode with us to the end of the tour.

We then set off for the City but thanks to our outriders we stopped and had our photograph taken on the steps of 10 Downing Street. We then had further photographs at the Old Bailey and St. Paul's Cathedral before we crossed the finish line at the City of London Police HQ in Wood Street, where we were greeted by a large group officers and were presented with cheques from the City of London Police by CVOC Trustee, Asst. Commissioner Frank Armstrong and on behalf of the Police Authority by Simon Duckworth. We were then entertained with a refreshing buffet.

Well that's it! The end of the 'tour' after 23 days and 2,500 miles we have visited every police force HQ in England, Scotland and Wales and raised at least £56,499.44.

There are too many people to mention and thank individually, but all those who came out and joined the ride for the tour, all those who provided food and accommodation along the way and of course all those who donated money which made it all worth while. We must mention and thank Gary Foord and Mammoth for their logistic support with the supply of cycles, equipment and the van. We must also thank the RFU representatives from around the country who came on parts of the 'tour' and of course for Matt Ferguson who joined us and did over 600 miles, for Ronny Carey (CVOC Trustee) who came over from Ireland and rode the first week and Steve Johnson (CVOC Trustee) 'Mr Motivator' who really did just that, driving the van, negotiating accommodation, etc.,etc.

The 'tour' would not have been possible without Karen Fraser in the CVOC office in Stafford, keeping the totals, providing the admin back-up and keeping the charity running whilst we have been away. Also thanks must go to Trevor for maintaining and updating this Blog, without which we would have no proof that the team actually reached every destination!

The Child Victims of Crime charity thanks you all very much for your donations and you will help us "turn nightmares into dreams come true."