Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Joint Action; The British Orthopaedic Action Research Charity. As most of you know this is a charity which is close to my heart. I benefitted from a new hip in April 1996 and a revision of that in June 2010 and a knee joint in October last year too. As a practcal expression of gratitude for past research, that has got me this far and in an attempt to demonstrate; new joints can mean living life to the full, I am attempting to cycle from Peteborough City Hospital; where I recieved the first hip, to Cottingham Castle Hill Hospital; where I had the more recent surgery. I will be gratefully supported/encouraged and accompanied by cycling friend Jaqueline Vivien. So please dig deep and donate now;Gift Aid can be reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.Thank you for your continued support; it got me through the past year and will undoubtedly get me through this challenge!
Yeah we made it!! After negotiating local rain, rail and cycle holders we were sent on our way by an enthusiastic and encouraging Peterborough City Hospital.
50 miles day one and 80 day two brought inevitable highs and lows which we either celebrated or off set by plenty of TLC and girly pit stops of tea and cake!
We faced every terrain imaginable, the most inclement and the most amazing weather! We experienced fantastic Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire country side and the welcome sight of our own magnificent Humber Bridge.
We met people who couldn't have been more helpful; especially Norman and Suzie at our Belvoir Cottage B&B at Stenwith and the staff and locals at The Red Lion Inn Stathern. We encountered the occasional car driver who couldn't be less lovely but consequently passed a few miles re writing “rights for road users” laws!!
Thank fully we had no punctures or serious miss haps. The only techni was I had a chain de rail on a steep assent, which resulted in my cleated-in foot, bike and I hitting the Rutland cycle trail a little too forcefully!
Following an amazing evening meal, enjoying perfect accommodation and breakfast, we set off to early light rain and challenging terrain. This fortunately led us through a Ford at Foston where water filled my shoe and provided a welcome natural cold compress!... at least that’s the reason I’m giving for not doing the sensible thing and taking the foot bridge; like my wonderfully supportive friend, Jacqueline did!
Our last 40 miles were eased by extra support from 3 cycling friends and enthusiasts who rose admirably to the role of halting any hints of low morale, slowing down or stopping! They made sure the route treated us to an ice cream stop; in celebration of the wonderful sunny finale!
As we approached Castle Hill hospital the welcome back from staff, family, and friends gave us an emotional reminder of the amazing overwhelming support and enthusiasm we have experienced every mile of the way. Bunting, banners and cheers proved all too much and the relief tears flowed along with the champagne.
The amazing support demonstrated in the fantastic sum of over £1500s and equal if not greater sum of good wishes have proved to be the cogs that kept our legs turning!!
So a huge thank you xx
