Phil Read, 56, will cycle across seven countries over seven days to raise vital funds for the British Heart Foundation in memory of two much-loved and highly respected former rail industry colleagues.

Phil, a former Cross Country Trains driver and current trainer with The Rail Academy, a leading rail training organisation, is set to embark on the extraordinary 700-mile charity cycle journey on 7th September.

Phil’s ambitious route will take him from Stechelberg in Switzerland’s Jungfrau Region through Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, before completing the final leg from Hull to Tamworth on Sunday 14th September following a ferry crossing.

Averaging 100 miles per day, his shortest day will cover 85 miles whilst his longest will see him tackle 125 miles.

The former train driver will be supported throughout his journey by Chris Duddy and Abby Khalifa, both former train drivers who now work alongside Phil as trainers at The Rail Academy. The duo will provide logistical and morale support from their accompanying vehicle.

Phil explained his motivation for taking on the challenge: “I’m raising money for the British Heart Foundation and I’d be so grateful for support. Two close friends have passed away since I cycled from Tamworth to Switzerland in 2015 whilst my wife was having treatment for breast cancer. I am now doing the return trip in memory of Rich Burgess and Marc Jones.

“Rich was a lifelong friend, neighbour, schoolmate and CrossCountry Trains train driver colleague from Tamworth. He sadly passed away suddenly in 2019 aged just 50.

“Marc was a very good friend who owned the mountain house in Switzerland where my wife and I stayed and where I cycled to in 2015. Marc was an ex-British Rail Second-man and Train Driver at Chiltern Railways. He retired early to go and run a B&B in Switzerland with his wife Dianne. Marc also passed away suddenly in 2023. It seemed fitting to do the journey back in memory of these two fantastic people.”

Phil is raising money for the British Heart Foundation through his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/philip-read-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL