Cuba Cycle Challenge 11th -18th November 2009
We did it!!! The challenge was completed in November - it was very hard work, but a great success and hopefully will raise around £120,000 for the foundation. If you still like to sponsor me the details of the charities are below - Thank you for all your generous donations!!!
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[Original letter]
Dear all,
In a few days time I will be embarking on a gruelling Charity Cycle Challenge to Cuba – very much still a third world country - passing through villages frozen in time and well away from any tourist amenities. The terrain is challenging and unfortunately hilly but then it is meant to be a challenge! In total we will be doing over 400 km in just 5 days.
So why am I doing it? Good question but, I know it is one way I can make a difference since, all money raised is in support of the Openwork Foundation’s Care 4 Kids* programme supporting disadvantaged children in both the UK and overseas. Since 1980 over £16.4 million has been raised and over 760 charities supported. Currently our key national partners are Children’s Hospices UK which represents 41 children’s hospices across the UK and Winston’s Wish - a charity providing support and practical and emotional help to young people and their families following a bereavement in their immediate family.
In addition we are giving £100k a year to The Philippine Community Fund a charity working in the most depressed areas of the Philippines where families live in crisis situations on huge rubbish dump sites where children scavenge amongst the stinking rotting rubbish salvaging and wood, metal or anything that can be exchanged for a few pence for food for the families.
To try and help them escape from child labour and poverty the Openwork Foundation is helping them build a school so that all children can be educated and escape the unrelenting poverty cycle. The school is unique as it is being made completely from re-cycled shipping containers but once opened next year it will make a huge difference to both the children and their families.
Both the disadvantaged children in the Philippines and the UK need our help to have a chance in life, to be able to do things other kids take for granted. The money I raise from this cycle challenge will help us achieve this objective so with that in mind I have no qualms in asking for your support. I am aiming to raise £4000 so any contributions that you or your company can give will get me that much closer.
Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Foundation’ or you can donate through this site (simple, fast and totally secure). It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Foundation will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
So please dig deep and donate now. - Thank you so much!
Richard
