Going electric for the 10th Duchenne Dash - LCH
LCH are incredibly proud to have continued our support and sponsorship for the Duchenne Dash this year, especially with it being their landmark 10th event!
Of course, like most other events during 2020 and 2021, the pandemic prevented the London to Paris events from taking place, but it didn’t stop us all from adapting with our imposed restrictions and continued efforts to raise money with the ‘Dash at Home’ and a scaled down Dash around Goodwood racecourse, in 2021. For this year’s event that took place on June 10th – 11th 2022, LCH provided 8 x Mercedes-Benz EQV support vehicles, carrying supplies, first aid related resources and additional equipment, which travelled with the riders all the way along the journey to Paris.
The main difference this year is that these vehicles are now all-electric, as opposed to the V-Class models we’ve provided in previous years.
Why did we go electric for 2022?
The growth of the electric vehicle market is expected to rapidly increase in the coming years, as the UK prepares itself for the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicle sales.
It’s no secret that air pollution harms the health of millions each year, and the increase of electric vehicles will help make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.
Plus, following big investments in the UK’s charging infrastructure we will see great improvements around this with new charging locations, devices and connectors appearing on a daily basis – and they will continue to do so throughout 2022 and beyond.
There are currently around 32,320 public electric vehicle charging devices available in the UK. Of these, 5,860 are rapid EV chargers. Many electric cars are compatible with ‘rapid’ 50kW chargers, which adds 100 miles in around 35 minutes.
LCH continues to see the demand in requirement for fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. In the first quarter of 2022 we supplied over 20% of rentals with a fully electric vehicle and 30% of customers with a plug-in hybrid replacement model. Over 55% of our fleet is now zero emissions capable!
Joining the ride for the first time!
As well as providing the fully electric support vehicles this year, we also had our Commercial Director, Steve Hall, take part on behalf of LCH for one last time before he departed the business to embark upon the next new chapter of his life.
Steve had been with LCH for just over 8 years, and shares his experience of his first Duchenne Dash ride:
“When I signed up for the Dash, I only knew one other rider. By the end of the first training ride, it became very clear that the event is very different to any other charity event, you become one of the Duchenne family very quickly. The training rides were enjoyable, understanding more about what to expect, helpful tips on equipment, fundraising and meeting some of those that had done the ride over previous years.”
“I remember riding along mid-morning, reminiscing with someone about our 3 hours of sleep and the noises from the crossing when I looked at their rear tyre which had suddenly deflated. As he dropped off to the roadside, my usual cycling pack instincts kicked in and wanted to stop to help but remembered at the briefing being told to just power on. You feel bad leaving them behind. It was about 3 miles down the road, he was back next to me. “I was scooped up in a van,” he told me, “I was in the front, the bike in the back, driving behind the group, before I knew it, they kicked me out and off cycling again.”
“As we hit Paris the outriders came into their element, guiding us through the streets of Paris, pushing us through red light intersections and keeping the group together. Then we turned the corner onto the Champs-Élysées, we had the road to ourselves, this was it, we had made it, 160 of us along with the 2 guys on a tandem.”
“I was lucky enough to be at the front of the group as we circled around the Arc de Triomphe, it was an amazing feeling of achievement and seeing some of the parents that had cycled also made that feeling more emotional than any other event I had completed previously.”
“The sun blazed down on us as we pulled into the welcoming party consisting of family and friends in the gardens of the Eiffel Tower and celebrated our arrival. Champagne, photos and in the true spirit of the past 24 hours, interrupted by the shout to get to our hotel as the celebration dinner was in an hour!”
“It is truly an incredible experience for all involved. Not only for the great achievement of completing the 300km ride, but also supporting Duchenne UK, and all the families fighting to find treatments to end Duchenne. On top of that, on arrival in Paris the riders have a rolling roadblock provided by the Gendarmerie. This means no traffic lights, no cars, and a clear route all the way along the Champs-Élysées, finishing under the Eiffel Tower in Tour-de-France style!”
Additionally, LCH organised a few fundraising raffles whilst the riders tackled the 300km to Paris – offering our staff an additional day’s annual leave and everybody the chance to win a complimentary weekend rental. We sold 96 tickets and helped raise a further £980 for the incredible Duchenne UK.
Visit LCH’s website to find out more about their luxury car hire services.
Inspired to take part in the Duchenne Dash 2023? Register your interest now