CHAPMAN'S CHALLENGE - OPERATION 'GREEN MACHINE'  

One morning during Christmas, after a belly full of festive beverage and considerable over indulgence in the food department, the Chapman brothers (Sam 'Junior' 25, Marcus 'Senior' 32) decided a serious challenge was needed to see us through the winter months and raise some cash for seriously good causes in the process. 

Much to great amusement, Sam decided the best challenge for us was the 'Friends of the Earth Big Green Bike Ride' in May. This ride takes in the five hundred odd miles from London to Edinburgh and it caused amusement because the usually exceptionally wise Sam has never set foot on a road bike, let alone ride for six days at nearly 100 miles a day! Perhaps Sam just decided it was time for him to embrace lycra, shave his legs and rub chammy cream in his shorts. Either way we're both in for a shock and some good old fashioned hard work. 

This will be a slog, no doubt about it. It's not exactly a flat route and we're camping along the way - no spa treatments, posh dinners and Swedish massages for us. Plus there's little doubt the UK weather will throw its full arsenal at us. We are both in training already and every penny you generously donate will give us a huge boost and spur us on to get across the line. 

Sam is currently studying a PhD in carbon assessment of power generation in Edinburgh so green issues are extremely close to his heart, hence the choice of charity as 'Friends of the Earth' do superb work across the UK, such as their Low Carbon Power campaign and recently published, The Power of Scotland Secured Report, commissioned by FOE-Scotland. 

Sam and I will also be raising money for the Rumic Foundation Trust who provide help for disadvantaged, sick and disabled children in the South Lake District area. We both grow up in the Lakes and have seen firsthand the fantastic work this trust is doing - from supplying school minibus's to help children get to school from remote parts of Cumbria to supplying specialist equipment such as bikes through their Mobility Fund, needed for children with disabilities - we know every penny raised will be well spent. 

This is our chance to take part in a tough challenge, explore every inch of tarmac in between London and Edinburgh and ultimately raise money for charities we feel passionate about. 

So please dig deep and donate now. We truly appreciate any donations, whatever the size. 

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