Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I am riding my bike all the way across Europe in aid of the Winchester based charity, Naomi House.
Update 28/8/10: Sparsholt CC 7's tournament raises over £500!!
Update 21/8/10: A cracking day in Millets shop window with generous passers by donating over £300
Update 18/8/10: High5 help support the trip with nutrition supplements
Update 11/8/10: News article syndicated in local Romanian newspaper: http://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/rubrici/eveniment/turul-europei-in-4-500-kilometri-un-ciclist-din-winchester-ajunge-la-constanta-23864.html
Update 10/8/10: Hampshire Chronicle web article published: http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/winchester/8318439.Ride_across_Europe_for_Naomi_House/
Update 2/8/10: Denplan announced as a supporter
Update 29/7/10: Blacks Leisure Group becomes a significant supporter
Update 15/7/10: Please note all money raised will go directly to the charity. I will not be taking any to pay for expenses
The Trip
The challenging adventure will start in Constanta, Romania and end in Winchester after a gruelling 4500km. Along the way I shall be sleeping in a small tent, be it at a campsite or roadside, and refuel with food I can cook quickly on my camping stove or eat raw. The route will take in some fantastic capital cities such as; Belgrade, Budapest, Vienna and Nantes.
To put the ride into perspective it's longer than the Tour de France and I'll be carrying my own accommodation too!
I have split the ride into 13 Legs and estimate a time frame of 35-45 days,delays might cause it to take up to 60 days. I will do this solo, however, I would welcome anybody who would like to join me for one or more stages. Joining me at Portsmouth would be the ideal excuse to dust off the old bike for a leisurely ride home. If you are interested in joining me get in contact through email: Robcarslake@hotmail.co.uk
Leg 1- Constanta to Tulcea, Distance 400kmLeg 2- Tulcea to Bucharest, Distance 470km
Leg 3 - Bucharest to Belgrade, Distance 500km
Leg 4- Belgrade to Budapest, Distance 400km
Leg 5 - Budapest to Vienna, Distance 310km
Leg 6 - Vienna to Passau, Distance 350km
Leg 7- Passau to Ulm, Distance 410km
Leg 8 - Ulm to Bale, Distance 420km
Leg 9 - Bale to Nevers, Distance 500km
Leg 10 - Nevers to Nantes, Distance 500km
Leg 11- Nantes to St Malo, Distance 210km
Leg 12- The Ferry
Leg 13 - Portsmouth to Winchester, Distance 45km
At the end of each leg I plan on taking at least half a day to recuperate, and getting into an internet cafe and update you of my progress. I will be keeping a blog going, details of this to follow.
In the past I have cycled to Amsterdam (Holland) from Den Haag (Holland) and St Malo (France) to Santander (Spain) with friends. However, this will be by far the longest trip I have ever done. It will also be the only one I have undertaken on my own, which in itself will be a real test of mental and physical strength. I will be cycling the complete distance, other than the crossing of the channel.
But my trip is insignificant compared to the incredible support and the number of smiles the staff at Naomi House can bring to seriously and terminally ill children. Please take some time to have a look at their website, http://www.naomihouse.org.uk/home/. I shall briefly outline a small part of the work they carry out below.
Naomi House
Naomi House have been offering respite care to parents and carers in one of the 10 bedrooms available, emergency care is also provided. The hospice has a variety of facilities available to the children, including computers,art and play rooms, a hydrotherapy suite, music rooms, multi-sensory rooms and beautiful gardens with special playground equipment designed with the children in mind. Jacks Place was opened this year after a massive fund-raising push. It allows the children to live more independently, allows them space to race remote control cars, have a wheelchair football match and enjoy a post-match BBQ.
Naomi House acknowledges the stress's and strains that can be placed on a family unit as a whole, offering siblings support through play, role-playing exercises and most importantly the gift of friendship. Sensitive bereavement care is offered too during the end of a child's life.
Your support could go a long way to helping the centre in its everyday operations. A donation of £5 could provide art materials for life-limited children and young people to create treasured memories during their short time at Naomi House, £25 could fund the music room for a day, so that children and young people, regardless of their ability, can enjoy the pleasure of creating and experiencing music, £50 could run the sensory room for a day, enabling children and young people from across our region to enjoy having their senses stimulated and £100 could fund one day in our end of life suite, where a child or young person can stay after they die. A quiet, private place where their family can be close by until the funeral.
I chose Naomi House as they aim to give children the experience of simple child sensations that we are oblivious to. Something as simple like bright coloured paints could bring the joy of laughter to a terminally ill child or cheerful jingles in the music room. My primary aim for this trip is to raise awareness of the incredible work Naomi House do, organise local fund-raising events that help promote local business and clubs, and pushing myself to the limit with a 4500km bike ride.
Fund-raising events planned so far:
-Charity 7's cricket tournament, Chairmans Day, Sparsholt Cricket Club, August 30th
-Charity football match, Kings Alumni vs Westgate Alumni, Winchester Football Club, August 8th 1pm
-Open to further suggestions
If you would like to get involved in the fund-raising I am organising an office sweepstake pack, whereby you can help raise money by getting your colleagues to donate and guess the number of days it will take me to complete the challenge. The winner wins a cash prize! Contact me for more details.
Trip Sponsorship
I would welcome the opportunity of trip sponsorship from a local company who I can promote in regional press articles, my internet blog and attach a logo to my equipment/clothing. I would be delighted to discuss this opportunity further with any interested parties. Contact me through email: robcarslake@hotmail.co.uk
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.
Thank you for your support
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