THE motor industry is rallying round Farnham-based British Car Auction’s ‘Paris Challenge’ charity bike ride in aid of charity Action for A-T, which is tackling the rare, genetic and degenerative childhood disease.

The 250-mile challenge will see riders leave BCA Blackbushe – the UK’s largest auction centre – in September and ahead to Paris, where BCA operates one of eight French remarketing centres.

The aim is to raise £30,000 to fund research into treating A-T. A team of 40 participating riders will tackle the gruelling event, with cyclists from BCA and the wider motor industry taking part.

Craig Purvey, chief commercial officer at BCA, is one of those taking part.

He said: “We are delighted that many from across the motor industry are rallying behind this event. Action for A-T is a very worthwhile cause which funds high-quality, peer-reviewed medical research to speed up the process of identifying a cure for ataxia telangiectasia.”

The charity has invested more than £1,700,000 in a variety of A-T related research projects around the world. A-T affects multiple systems within the human body, and health progressively deteriorates causing an overall loss of coordination and muscle control.