Story
On the 18th July I
undertake my biggest challenge ever; L’Etape
2010 - one of the most difficult stages of the Tour De France cycle race!
I am raising money for Caudwell Children, a national charity that helps thousands of families each year who face a constant battle to provide their children with the equipment, treatment and therapy they desperately need.
Please sponsor me as I face my own personal battle to overcome the toughest physical challenge I have ever faced.
Mine is a challenge that may beat me, and if it does I shall return disappointed and a little embarrassed, but the families I wish to help do not have that luxury.
For them there is no option to ‘throw in the towel’ or ‘try again next year’ – their battle is life or death.
So please sponsor me as I put my body on the line later this month and think of the difference your donation will make to children’s lives.
The L’Etape Challenge:
It’s 110 miles long, which is challenging but completely doable.
It’s 14,000 feet of vertical climbing, which makes it a lot more difficult.
Some of the gradients are up to 13% steep for long distances, which starts moving me into impossible territory.
It is likely to be in very hot weather, something that I can’t cope with at all - the dehydration sets in no matter how much you drink, the head explodes and you just want to collapse.
Finally, there is the added pressure of it being timed. A fleet of coaches with France’s best gendarmerie cruise along behind us swooping up all those riders who can’t achieve the pre set pace.
I am dreading the ride, but even more dreading that coach catching me up and parceling me in with as many as 6,000 other failures.
So why on earth am I doing it?
Well, I would like to raise as much as possible for the children the Charity helps
£100,000 – this would fund life saving cancer treatment in the US for one child
£20,000 – provides an electric wheelchair which transforms a child’s life in terms of physical independence, physical support and emotional security.
£10,000 – enables a child to learn to walk with innovative therapy.
£7,000 – funds a dying wishes holiday to Disney Land providing everlasting memories for the family (probably the only holiday they will ever have).
£1,000 – provides the parents of autistic children with the skills to significantly unlock their child’s potential and improve the whole family environment.
£100 – provides a portable nebuliser for a child with breathing difficulties.
No matter how small a donation, it all adds up to changing a child’s life, so please please just give whatever you can!
I am raising money for Caudwell Children, a national charity that helps thousands of families each year who face a constant battle to provide their children with the equipment, treatment and therapy they desperately need.
Please sponsor me as I face my own personal battle to overcome the toughest physical challenge I have ever faced.
Mine is a challenge that may beat me, and if it does I shall return disappointed and a little embarrassed, but the families I wish to help do not have that luxury.
For them there is no option to ‘throw in the towel’ or ‘try again next year’ – their battle is life or death.
So please sponsor me as I put my body on the line later this month and think of the difference your donation will make to children’s lives.
The L’Etape Challenge:
It’s 110 miles long, which is challenging but completely doable.
It’s 14,000 feet of vertical climbing, which makes it a lot more difficult.
Some of the gradients are up to 13% steep for long distances, which starts moving me into impossible territory.
It is likely to be in very hot weather, something that I can’t cope with at all - the dehydration sets in no matter how much you drink, the head explodes and you just want to collapse.
Finally, there is the added pressure of it being timed. A fleet of coaches with France’s best gendarmerie cruise along behind us swooping up all those riders who can’t achieve the pre set pace.
I am dreading the ride, but even more dreading that coach catching me up and parceling me in with as many as 6,000 other failures.
So why on earth am I doing it?
Well, I would like to raise as much as possible for the children the Charity helps
£100,000 – this would fund life saving cancer treatment in the US for one child
£20,000 – provides an electric wheelchair which transforms a child’s life in terms of physical independence, physical support and emotional security.
£10,000 – enables a child to learn to walk with innovative therapy.
£7,000 – funds a dying wishes holiday to Disney Land providing everlasting memories for the family (probably the only holiday they will ever have).
£1,000 – provides the parents of autistic children with the skills to significantly unlock their child’s potential and improve the whole family environment.
£100 – provides a portable nebuliser for a child with breathing difficulties.
No matter how small a donation, it all adds up to changing a child’s life, so please please just give whatever you can!