Thanks for visiting my just giving page. I took part in the Macmillan Vietnam Cycling Challenge from the 3rd to the 15th of November. I joined around 30 people cycling through the remote and traditional north of Vietnam in support of Macmillan Cancer Support. It was the hardest but ultimately the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
I did a fair amount of training but nothing prepared me for how hard this challenge was. I can't emphasise enough how difficult it was every day. The hills were long.. and steep.. and I was close to giving up on a few occasions. Two things got me through it though. The first thing was my fellow challenge participants. I was lucky enough to meet 30 of the finest people out there. The support we gave each other was an incredible help and there's no feeling quite like it.
The second thing that got me through it is much more important. I just had to remember the reason why I was doing this challenge in the first place. That reason is macmillan cancer support. No matter how much I was suffering, I knew it paled into insignificance compared to the suffering that cancer patients and their families experience.
Although both my grandmothers died of cancer, our family never used the services that macmillan offer. However talking to the other people on the challenge, and the public while fundraising, it's plain to see what an amazing job macmillan do.
As you can see I managed to injure myself quite well during the challenge. I came off my bike a grand total of 3 times, which I believe was the record. Believe me, when you've just crashed into a pig, getting sympathy is not easy.
I have a total fund raising target of £3000 but I want to raise over that amount if I can. So please, please give generously. I would really appreciate any contribution you can make, no matter how small. It all adds up.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me. At least 64% of the Minimum sponsorship will go directly to Macmillan, but anything over the £3000 will be a 100% donation.
If anyone is interested in seeing pictures of the Vietnam Challenge. Mike Smithson, a fellow challenge participant, took some amazing shots. These are located here: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/smuttles/Vietnam_all_photos
