KPMG Malta Head of Audit cycles width of Great Britain in aid of Cancer Research UK

KPMG Malta Head of Audit Hilary Galea-Lauri recently completed a challenge that saw him cycle the width of Great Britain in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The impressive feat was comprised of cycling from the east coast in Lowestoft, England, all the way to St David’s, the furthest westerly point in Wales.

Reflecting on the achievement, Mr Galea-Lauri said: “I am sure we all know someone who has been affected by cancer.”

This is not the first challenge that he has decided to take on, as in 2015, he joined a group of people to cycle the length of Great Britain from Land’s End, England to John O’Groats, Scotland, in a route known as “LEJOG”. He utilised that challenge as a platform to raise funds for NGO Inspire Malta, and throughout that ride, “great friendships were forged that have continued to this day”.

“Perhaps the most influential person was the one that kept us all in touch after the event, who was sadly diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away after a brave fight last year. Sadly, this person, Roger Armstrong, was taken far too soon by this disease,” Mr Galea-Lauri recalled.

He added that the group had planned to do “another epic ride together” in 2020 to mark the five-year anniversary since the achievement, yet it was cancelled due to the pandemic. “And so we never got the chance to ride with him again,” he explained.

This year’s challenge served as a reunion for the group, as well as a “tribute to Roger, and to show support to his wife and their family”.

KPMG Malta stated that the group’s objectives were met as all the cyclists completed the challenge and “surpassed the target they set themselves”.

Mr Galea-Lauri is well-established at KPMG Malta, having first joined the professional services firm in 1986. As Head of Audit, he is now the Malta firm's lead technical partner on KPMG's audit methodology. Aside from work, he enjoys outdoor activities and regularly participates in endurance sports, with a notable highlight being representing Malta in the Olympic Torch Relay in the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, United States.