Hero's celebration for Gavin as he completes London to Russia cycle

Gavin celebrates completing the London to Russia cycle

Gavin Tiffin received a hero’s welcome as he returned to St Thomas’ Hospital after completing his 2,000 mile cycle from London to Russia.

Gavin, who has worked at Guy’s and St Thomas’ as head of hospitality for more than four years, was joined by supporters and colleagues for his final fundraising event – a gala dinner – after crossing 10 borders, passing through 10 countries and arriving in St Petersburg after just three weeks. 

The money raised from Gavin’s challenge will go to Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Breathe Arts Health Research, and MediCinema.

Guests at the Cultural Cycle gala dinner had the first viewing of a film that Gavin made on his trip, which premiered footage of the obstacles he faced along the way, including summer storms, broken bikes, accidents, and plenty of hills.

Gavin hosted events in Berlin, Warsaw and St Petersburg, and raised a further £4,000 from an auction and raffle at the gala dinner to add to the running total of more than £4,000.

He says: “It was amazing to be so warmly welcomed back to St Thomas’ and to be able to share my journey with everyone who’s been following my progress.

“Although I can’t believe my journey is over, in a way it’s only just begun. I visited children’s hospitals in Warsaw and St Petersburg during my trip and hope to have established some really special relationships between them and Evelina London.”

Janet Powell, Director of Nursing at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, says: “We are so proud of Gavin’s incredible achievements and we’re so happy to welcome him back to London in one piece and so we can congratulate and thank him. His dedication and commitment to fundraising is an inspiration to us all.

“The money Gavin has raised through his epic cycle to St Petersburg will allow children and young people being treated at Evelina London to experience and benefit from the healing powers of music and the arts.”

Gavin left St Thomas’ Hospital on 13 August and arrived at The Memorial to the Siege of Leningrad in St Petersburg on 3 September.

He added: “I was very emotional when I reached St Petersburg. When it got tough I thought of my grandfather for motivation. He was a Royal Navy veteran who served in the Arctic Convoys delivering supplies to Russia during the war. I never got to meet him but hopefully by following his journey I will have made him proud.”

Veterans from the Arctic Convoys were among the guests at Gavin’s gala dinner.