My 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!

My charity

Caudwell Children

Caudwell Children

Charity Registration No. 1079770

Caudwell Children transforms the lives of sick and disabled children across the UK. The Charity provides equipment, treatment and therapies to individual children. Our Destination Dreams programme provides an organised holiday for children fighting life threatening conditions. The Charity has changed the lives of children with over 160 different medical conditions.

Donations 46

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Well done John !

Donation by Sarah Goodwin on 08/09/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Congratulations on achieving the Challenge. All the best, Olivier

Donation by Olivier de Givenchy on 20/08/10

 

Donation by Anonymous on 16/08/10

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Good Luck!

Donation by K2 Equity Partners LLP on 10/08/10

£50.00

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Hope the legs have recovered ! Best Garry,

Donation by Garry Wilson on 05/08/10

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

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Dear John A fantastic cause...I'd give a million pounds if I could! David Bilby (proud Grandfather of 6...so far!)

Donation by David Bilby on 04/08/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Well done you! Congratulations!!x

Donation by Sian Kinder on 03/08/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Well done! Fantastic achievement.

Donation by Fleur Deed on 03/08/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Better you than me.......Well done!!!

Donation by Stephen Payne on 27/07/10

£50.00

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Congratulations John. Best wishes Jay and Charlie.

Donation by jason ramsay on 26/07/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Well done John!

Donation by Chunpreet Bains on 26/07/10

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

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Many congratulations for getting so far from all at Burgess! Tim

Donation by Tim Wiltshire on 22/07/10

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

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Donation by Katy McManus on 22/07/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Hi John & Michele, here is a donation from Heli Air and me, well done for raising so much for such a good cause and one that is close to home for us.

Donation by Brian Kane on 21/07/10

£100.00

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Good one John!

Donation by Nick & Nicola Mercieca on 20/07/10

£200.00

+ £56.41 Gift Aid

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Well done John!

Donation by Martin Hughes on 20/07/10

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Go Johnny go!! Lots of love xxxxxxxx

Donation by Owl Davis on 20/07/10

£20.00

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Well done John, incredible achievement and a great cause!

Donation by Tom Whittaker on 19/07/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Well done! As always, very impressed by your exploits! Tonya

Donation by tonya meli on 19/07/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Well done John. You are amazing. Peter

Donation by Peter Digby on 19/07/10

£200.00

+ £56.41 Gift Aid

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The very best of luck to you!

Donation by andrea mceneny on 17/07/10

Donation by Stella Billios on 17/07/10

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

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If only there had been a tandem I could have helped !!

Donation by David Jew on 17/07/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Donation by Priya Vandrevala on 16/07/10

£2,500.00

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Donation by John Sheen on 16/07/10

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£21,102.00
  • Offline donations£21,555.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£42,657.00
  • Gift Aid£3,802.62

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.