Cleaning industry veteran takes on killer mountain for charity.....twice

The famed generosity of the cleaning industry towards charitable causes is being sought to back Roger Papp, long-time Operations Director at Truvox International, in his attempt to consecutively cycle twice up the fearsome, infamous Mont Ventoux in the south of France.

The money Roger raises from this incredible feat will be donated to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital's Jigsaw Appeal, which seeks to extend and improve the facilities in the Haematology and Oncology Units. Funds will also be given Southampton General Hospital's Haematology & Bone Marrow Transplant unit where Roger's wife Irene enjoyed excellent treatment after two stem cell transplants.

A regular "King of the Mountains" stage in the Tour de France, Mont Ventoux gained notoriety during the 1967 race when British cyclist Tom Simpson died still clipped into his pedals within half a mile of the summit. In 1970, even the legendary cyclist Eddy Merckx rode himself to the brink of death while climbing the mountain and had to be revived with oxygen.

Although a keen club cyclist at 55, Roger is believed to be by far the oldest man ever to attempt two consecutive climbs up Mont Ventoux where the gradient is frequently more than 11% and where he will have to conquer the searing heat, glaring sun and dust. Fittingly, the attempt takes place on 4th September 2007, which is the fourth anniversary of Irene Papp first being diagnosed with leukaemia.

A team from Truvox - including Managing Director Peter Holt and Export Manager Jerry Faulkner - will also travel to Provence to encourage Roger in his gruelling challenge.

Individual and corporate donations are now urgently being sought and pledges can be made in a number ways. Donation pledges should either be sent to Ventouxchallenge@truvox.com where they then will be processed by Truvox, or be made online at the Jigsaw web site www.jigsawappeal.org.uk by clicking on "Donations" and following the instructions. Please ensure you put "Roger Papp" in the "reason for donation" box.

Donations can also be accepted by post to Diana Newbury, Head of Fundraising, Jigsaw Appeal, Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Castle Lane East, Bournemouth BH7 7DW. Finally phone 01202 704060 for donations by credit card.