Story
<p><strong><span style="color: #800000;">MONDAY 9TH APRIL 2012 - I DID IT!</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Yes, despite the rain, cold and fast-moving HGVs accompanying me on my ride, I made it safely to Crystal Palace in time for kick-off! To top it all off, Southampton put in an impressive performance to take us one step closer to promotion.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>BUT it's not too late to donate - now's the time, if you've been meaning to do it all along, to dig out the debit card and add some dough to my page.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Thank you ALL for your generosity and support so far, it was you (and the promise of a nice warm shower) that spurred me on and ultimately helped me cross the finish line.</strong></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Your money is going to make so much difference to people's lives, and I don't have to ride a bike again for a while. win-win!</strong></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Big love</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Katie xx</strong></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>THE RIDE:</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these (generous) witnesses to celebrate the union of Katie's posterior with her bicycle saddle...</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>On Monday 9th April 2012 (Easter Monday), I will be taking to my hardly-used bike, to cycle the 85 miles from the glorious St Mary's Stadium in Southampton to the not-so-glorious Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace. I've been looking for an event and a cause I really want to be part of for a while now, so when the Big Bike Challenge was announced, combining my love for football with my desire to make a difference, I signed up in a flash.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>I know what you're all thinking, I deserve sponsorship just for braving Crystal Palace on a matchday. You're not wrong, but I felt that I should push myself a little harder than just driving around the M25 and sitting down shouting at eleven grown men for 90 minutes, in order to raise as much money as possible for The Saints Foundation, Countess Mountbatten Hospice and Naomi House (see below for details).</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Those of you that know me and are therefore familiar with my usual exercise regime will understand just how much of a personal physical challenge this is going to be for me - I might look like I'm built for speed, but (pre-training), my backside is very much more suited to my sofa (or a nice comfy pub chair) than a saddle.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>A little bit about <span style="color: #ff0000;">the charities</span> I'm collecting for:</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">THE SAINTS FOUNDATION was set up in July 2010, consolidating the successful Saints in the Community programme and the Southampton Football Club’s Charitable Objectives. Through funding and money raised through fundraising and events, The Foundation aims to deliver the following; Engaging with all areas of our community using the power of football to capture the imagination of adults and young people, deliver an innovative and creative sport and education programme and make a positive difference to peoples lives in the community. </span></strong></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">COUNTESS MOUNTBATTEN HOUSE Charity provides funds for Countess Mountbatten House; a specialist palliative care service that supports over 3,000 people each year with life limiting illness throughout Southampton and South Central Hampshire. Through the provision of medical, practical and emotional support, we strive to enhance the care and quality of life of our patients and their families and carers. Together we can build a stronger and more sustainable future for all those who need the support of such a specialist service</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">WESSEX CHILDREN'S HOSPICE TRUST known as Naomi House, provides support to children and young people with life limiting conditions from across central southern England. The charity offers one-to-one palliative care that includes respite stays, terminal and bereavement care. </span></strong></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">This support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. It costs around £5 million a year to provide these services to the children, young people and families. With less than 15% of income coming from Government and other statutory bodies, the Trust relies on the generosity of people in the community to continue its work. </span></strong></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>PLEASE NOTE: I have already paid my signup fee, bought my match ticket and booked my own accommodation, so none of the money raised needs to be dipped into for any of the above - I've covered my own expenses so the charities really do get everything I raise.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>My aim is to raise £1,000 for EACH of these three charities, so please give as much as you can to support me and my chosen charities - my bottom and I will thank you very much!</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Please also keep an eye on this page as I will be posting comedy photos and videos of my training progress.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Katie xx</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
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