CHALLENGE COMPLETED! However, there is still time for you to make a donation ........ The ride was hard work but very worthwhile, although I did wonder what I was doing at one stage; riding through the fog at 7.30 in the morning! Thank you so very much to all those who have already donated or pledged their support and who have enabled me to raise and far exceed my initial target.
Hi there. Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Originally I was taking on the challenge of cycling from London to Paris in memory of my father, Norman Whitehead, who had died from cancer at the age of 49 years. Having turned 49 myself this year I thought it would be a good way to commemorate his life and celebrate the fact that I was fit and healthy at 49.
I am not a natural cyclist and knew the challenge would be a difficult one. However, my husband helped me with training and words of encouragement such as "pump it, pump it, pump it!" just as I was about to collapse in a heap and had no breath to answer him back or, "Let the bike do the work" when I was frantically trying to remain on the bike going up hill and was too tired to nudge him into the ditch!
Tragically, my husband Martin died on 1st June 2009, aged 49 years. I know that he would want me to continue the challenge and raise money for such a worthy cause. He will be with me every turn of the wheel and his words of wisdom (?) will echo throughout the French countryside.
So, if you are 49, live life to the full and please give generously. If you are yet to reach 49, live life to the full and give generously in memory of two very special people whose lives were taken far too early. If you have already reached 50 or beyond, do continue to live life to the full but also please give generously in appreciation of the years to come.
Thank you for your support.
