Frome resident Simon Maughan has set a challenge in memory of his grandfather, winner of the same challenge in 1959.

Sixty years later in August 2019, a group of nine amateur cyclists will be embarking on a journey to commemorate the achievements of the winner of the 1959 Blériot Anniversary Race, Squadron Leader Charles Maughan.

In 1909, in the infancy of heavier than air travel, the Daily Mail offered a £1,000 prize for the first aeroplane flight across the English Channel. Louis Blériot achieved this in July 1909 in his monoplane in a time of 36 minutes and 30 seconds.

The developments in air travel following this record-breaking flight were such that in 1959, on the 50th anniversary of Blériot's triumph, the Daily Mail organised a race between Marble Arch and the Arc de Triomphe. Competitors had two weeks to race as many times as they wanted, between the two points, by any travel necessary, with £5,000 on offer for the winner.

At the end of the competition on the 23rd July 1959, Squadron Leader Charles Maughan and his team from No 65 Squadron, out of Duxford, sat top of the leader board with an unbeatable time of 40 minutes and 44 seconds. A combination of motorbike, helicopter, plane and ingenuity propelled Maughan to Paris and back in record time. Maughan duly collected the trophy and prize money, presented by Lord Rothermere (Chairman of the Daily Mail and General Trust company) with the latter being donated to charity.

Born in 1923, Charles Maughan joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1942 and served with 836 Squadron and 801 Squadron until 1946. In 1949 Charles Maughan joined the Royal Air Force and initially flew single seater fighters – Spitfires, Meteors and Venoms before commanding No 65 Squadron.

In 1964, he moved to flying Vulcan Bombers and held the rank of Group Captain with No IX Squadron before taking command of the V-Bomber base at Honnington and later at Waddington. Following a series of appointments both in the UK and Germany, he was promoted to Air Vice-Marshall in 1974. Having held this rank for three years, he retired from the RAF in 1977 and took up the General Secretary role at the Royal British Legion for five years. Sadly, Charles Maughan passed away in December 2009.

Maughan was appointed CBE (1970) and CB (1976). He was also awarded the AFC (in 1961) and the American Medal of Freedom.

In honour of the 60th anniversary of the incredible feat achieved in 1959 and in memory of Charles Maughan, the amateur group of cyclists will set out from Marble Arch on the afternoon Thursday 1st August 2019 and arrive on the morning of Saturday 3rd August 2019 at the Arc de Triomphe. The time elapsed, in celebration of the 1959 effort is planned as 40 hours 44 minutes. This exploit is being organised by Daniel and Simon Maughan, the grandsons of Charles Maughan.

Charles Maughan's son, David, will also take part in the final leg into Paris on Saturday morning, riding with the team up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. The original 1959 trophy, currently being kept on display by both Charles Maughan's son and daughter, will be waiting at the Arc de Triomphe to greet the riders. They also have a fantastic network of supporting friends who will be with them every step/wheel revolution of the way.

The ride will not only be in commemoration of the 1959 attempt but will also collect for a very special charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The RAF Benevolent Fund is the RAF's leading welfare charity with a proud tradition of looking after its own. They are there for all serving and former members of the RAF as well as their partners and dependent children.

This will be a self-funded ride and all proceeds collected will be sent to the RAF Benevolent Fund. The team would appreciate any offer of support, whether a donation to the charitable fund at the following page or the offer of supplies to aid the ride or even just support to send them on their way. While by no means will this be a record-breaking ride, this will be a challenge for all taking part and a way to celebrate the life of Charles Maughan as well as the incredible achievements of all the 1959 Daily Mail Blériot Anniversary Race competitors.

Website: archtoarc.org

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/archtoarc2019