A team of 60 riders will tomorrow set off on a pedal-powered trip to Paris – spurred on by the memory of a courageous former colleague.

Personal injury practice Stewarts will take part in the London to Paris bike ride in honour of the late Danny Turnbull, who was paraplegic and a solicitor with the firm.

The group taking part includes former Stewarts colleagues, clients and Danny’s 19-year-old son Lucas Turnbull-Stubbs, who is doing the ride for the first time.

Danny sustained a spinal cord injury when he was two years old and went on to qualify as a solicitor and represent people who had experienced life-changing injuries themselves.

His work went beyond legal practice as he helped clients regain independence, navigate relationships and continue their hobbies. Stewarts said Danny combined his personal and professional experience to help rebuild people’s futures.

He was a supporter and trustee of the charity Back Up, which supports people affected by spinal cord injuries. Keen to take part in the London to Paris bike ride, he was initially turned down by the organisers because he was a hand cyclist.

Danny helped to change that policy and in 2012 he successfully completed the gruelling 300-mile route with a group of other hand cyclists. The event is now referred to as the ‘No Limits’ ride as a tribute to his determination.

Danny died in 2017 from cancer and since then, his former colleagues at Stewarts have raised £280,000 across two rides. The goal this year is to reach £500,000, with the team approaching the half-way point by Thursday morning.

Julian Chamberlayne, partner and head of aviation and international injury at Stewarts, work alongside Danny for many years and took part in the 2012 event with him.

‘I had the privilege of seeing Danny’s determination for myself, both in the way he went above and beyond for his clients and in the way he took on challenges like this ride,” he said.

‘Danny was an advocate for people with spinal injuries. His vision for an inclusive cycling event has come to fruition because of his hard work and the lasting impact he has made on those around him.’