I set out on 24 August as planned, intending to cycle the 37.5 miles with my twin eight year old sons, Ben and Alex - from Christ's Hospital in Horsham to Shoreham, West Sussex and back (part of the Downs Link Cycle Path).
As I edit this a week later, I realise it was quite a high expectation of Ben and Alex to complete these two days of fairly challenging cycling - at least so far as eight year olds are concerned. I had in fact forgotten that the Downs Link becomes quite hilly in order for the old railway line to get over the South Downs to the sea! Also I hadn't allowed for the fact that the boys were riding bikes with fairly worn tyres that seemed to mysteriously attract every thorn that the plantlife of Sussex could maliciously strew in our path!
The result was that we suffered (so far as I can recall) 3 punctures on Alex's bike, and 2 on Ben's - which meant we got through a lot of inner tubes and puncture repair kit 'sticking plasters'! As a consequence of all (and of setting out later that we should have done!) we didn't arrive in Shoreham at the end of our outward leg, or back at Christ's Hospital two days later, until it was almost dark. However we did arrive on each occasion with a terrific sense of achievement at having done what we needed to do!
Many thanks to our old friends Jennie and Ivan in Southwick for putting us up in their house for a couple of nights - and looking after us so well. Alex and Ben are delighted with the progress of the fundraising so far- and were really made up with some of the encouraging comments made by kind friends on the JG page.. Thanks for your generosity if you've already donated - or are thinking of doing so. The money will be well spent......
We have taken on this challenge on behalf of Action Village India: www.actionvillageindia.org.uk
Action Village India supports people in rural India as they gain the skills and confidence they need to build a better life for themselves and their communities. For over twenty years, they have provided long-term support to six partner organisations. All the projects they support aim to right economic and social injustices and are devised and managed by local people working in the Gandhian tradition of non-violent change and self organisation.
Just £25 will enable a girl in Jharkhand to attend secondary school for a year, transforming her life chances.
£50 will provide a loan for a woman to start a small business, such as selling vegetables.
By donating today you'll be making a big difference to the lives of these communities living across India. So please dig deep.
Thank you for your generosity and support,
Nigel, Ben and Alex
