Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
I have always enjoyed cycling, exploring new routes especially those off the beaten track, and pushing my endurance.
At the age of 17 myself and a close friend cycled from our homes in Bristol to my sister's house in Lincoln in a single day, and the following day we went onto my brother's house in York.
At the age of 48 I acquired my first mountain bike and felt the urge to undertake a long distance challenge.
Living Near Weston Super Mare, when I saw details of the Wessex Way, a 250 mile off -road tour from Weston Super Mare to Eastbourne I thought this fitted the bill.
The route starts on the sea front in Weston travels over the Mendips to Wells skirting the edges of the Longleat estate and up onto Salisbury Plain. From the Plain it follows the Vale of Pewsey crossing the Hampshire Downs until traversing the South Downs and on to Eastbourne and Beachy Head.
The plan is to undertake the trip in late August and complete the route within one week. Originally I considered camping along the way, but my wife Karen sensibly persuaded me otherwise, and she has agreed to accompany me in our car providing support and recovery as required.
However this time I felt I should also use the event to raise funds for others.
For some years now I have supported Childrens Hospice South West through personal donations or attendance at charity events. Through that time I have seen the work of the charity grow from a single base near Barnstaple, to the three locations which they now operate throughout the South West.
Childrens Hospice South West help and support children and their families who are living with a life-limiting condition.
They are the only organisation providing this vital care in the South West to families day or night throughout the year.
There are over 1000 children who could benefit from their care, but they are only able to provide care for up to 400 families.
Most notably the hospices provide a loving, caring place for every member of every family that uses their facilities: a sanctuary for mums and dads, brothers and sisters. A place where everyone can begin to forget their worries for a while, be a family again, and find expert help and support in facing an uncertain future.
The atmosphere within the hospices is not what you might imagine. It is often filled with joy and laughter as the staff help make the most of every moment a very sick child has with them and their family.
Each hospice costs £3 million a year to run or approx £8,000 per day. Heat, light,and power,at one hospice costs £99 per day. The weekly food bill is £519, and medical consumables cost £12 per day.
£4,000 could pay for days out at one hospice for a year.
£7,500 could run one minibus for a year.
£15,000 could provide support for one family for a year.
If you would like to know more about Childrens Hospice South West please go to www.chsw.org.uk or email enquiries@chsw.org.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.
So please dig deep and donate now.
