Hi,

A few years ago my dad was diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).  My family & I have had to helplessly watch the disease slowly take dad from us.  Each year the healthy, fit & active dad we once knew slowly became more disabled by the disease eventually becoming house bound & oxygen dependent. In 2008 dad took his last breath.  We miss him dreadfully, but are relieved he no longer suffers the effects of COPD.

Dad was keen for research to be carried out into COPD to find causes & hopefully one day cures for the disease. With this is mind I have signed up to cycle from London to Paris in 2010 in dad's memory & to raise money for the British Lung Foundation for research into COPD.

This is a massive challenge for me.  One I am excited about but also very anxious!  

I hope you are able to support me by sponsoring me.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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 the charity and make sure Gift Aid is 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.

So please dig deep and donate.

 

UPDATE 05.10.09

After my radio interview Nuffield Health (Swindon) have been kind enough to agree to sponsor me with free membership & a free personal trainer to help me with training.  They are not only a gym, but offer full clinical/medical checks as part of thier service - so I know I am going to be in safe hands.  Thank you so much Nick & Dawn.

UPDATE 18.02.10  Training is tough but  going well so I have decided to bring the ride forward to June 2010!  

UPDATE 26.03.10 Training still tough!  Am managing 15 miles 3 x a week & 25-35 once a week so on target.  The first 10 miles are always tough & ironically I really struggle with my breathing, then I seem to get into a good rhythm and can go for miles.  I wish the weather would improve as training in the wind and rain isn't great, but am loving being in the saddle.

 

I have organised a wine tasting evening on 22nd April 2010 where you can try a variety of wines & enjoy some good company.  You will also have the opportunity to order any wine that you like.  Tickets are £10 each.  Many thanks to Virgin Wines for donating the wine for the evening, it's very much appreciated.

 

I am also organising an ABBA night to boost fundraising.  It's on 15th May 2010 at Shrivenham Memorial Hall form 8pm - 11.30pm.  Fancy dress optional but encouraged!  Entry by ticket only @ £10 each.  Email me if you would like to come paulandrach@hotmail.com

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far, your support is very much appreciated. 

UPDATE 25.04.2010

The wine tasting evening was such a success with many enthusiastic people donating to the cause.  There wasn't much sign of spitting though, so a few sore heads this morning no doubt!  The evening raised £265 pounds towards my target.  A HUGE thank you to our great friend Jeremy Dixon for running the evening & for sharing his fantastic knowledge on wine, to Paul my husband for taking all the stress of organising the event out of my hands & his continued support, to Virgin Wines for donating all of the wine and to David @ Estate Bottled Foods for his kind donation of wonderful food.

UPDATE 03.05.2010

Training is going well.  I had a great 54 mile ride on Saturday & gladly felt really good on the bike.  I am averaging 3 x 25 mile rides a week, 1 x 15 & 1 x 50.  My thighs are becoming even bigger than before :( but at least it is all muscle now!  I had quite a nasty accident today when my bike decided to change gear on it's own whilst going up a steep hill, throwing me over the handle bars.  Luckily I had my helmet on as I hit my head on the road hard & also my left leg - which is very painful.  No doubt I'll be stiff tomorrow :(  My bike will need to go into the shop to be mended as it's a little bent.  It won't stop me though as I believe what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! Onwards....

UPDATE 16.05.10

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came to the ABBA night last night.  We sold out, everyone made such a great effort with amazing fancy dress costumes & came with the intention of having a good time.  It was a brilliant night with lots of dancing & drinking (we broke the bar takings record!!)  The evening made £1312 profit to go to the British Lung Foundation.  Special thanks go to Wendy, David, Paul & Richard for helping with the set up of the hall.  To mum for holding the fort with the little people.  To Trudi & Martin for their unfaltering advice, support & very hard work behind the bar.  To DJ Darren Rolls for a brilliant evening of top tunes & to my great friend & fellow cyclist Mary for all her hard work & support which varied from dressmaking to stealth raffle ticket seller!  4 weeks to the ride & counting.......

UPDATE 01.06.10

Well, this is the month it happens!  June 2010 seemed so far away when I booked up to cycle to Paris!  I am so excited about the trip, as are many others!  I am just recovering from a chest infection, which hasn't been helpful.  The GP has said I will find it much harder now as my lungs will still be recovering, but I will do it even if i'm cycling 24 hours a day!

My family & I are overwhelmed with the amount of money raised.  It really means so much to us all & I can't thank everyone enough for the support you've given us.  

I am still training, this week is 3 x 25 mile rides & 1 x 75 miles.  Next week I have to reduce the distances down to 5 & 10 mile rides & then we are off!

UPDATE 15.06.10

Earlier this week I had to have an investigative procedure in hospital.  All went well & I was given the all clear - I was delighted!  The next morning, as I was getting the children ready for school I had severe pain at the entry sight of the previous days procedure & collapsed.  I was rushed into hospital where Paul & I were told I'd suffered serious internal bleeding from my Femoral artery.  I have spent the past week hoping & praying that I would begin to feel better. 

I saw my consultant last night.  He explained that the seal that plugged the artery had popped out causing the internal bleeding, a rare complication of the procedure.

I am not allowed to cycle for at least 8 weeks, the internal swelling is putting immense pressure on the nerve to my leg causing a lot of discomfort & pain which should hopefully go within 6 months.

This is all very raw for me.  I cannot describe how devastated I am that I cannot cycle to Paris.  The last year of my life has been focused on leaving for Paris tomorrow & 6 days before I suffer a rare complication that takes all of this away from me.  

During my training I have cycle over 3000 miles, that's just short of  London to Paris 10 times!  I have worked so, so hard.  You have all supported me so, so much & I thank you so much for that - it really has helped.

If you would like I will give people sponsorship money back. Please contact me at paulandrach@hotmail.com or on 07747 774785.

I am so, so sorry.

Rachael