Raised: 101%
Target: £2,000.00
Raised so far: £2,012.00
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My story

 

Dear Sponsor,

On 22-27 June 2008, I will be taking part in The Race Against Time. I will be cycling 874 miles from Lands End to John O'Groats in just 6 days. It will be the toughest sporting challenge of my life, but worth it because in doing the ride I will be raising vital funds for people affected by HIV / AIDS in South Africa.

The scale of the pandemic in Africa is huge, and the rate at which it is growing is frightening. There is a clear parallel between my challenge and the race to stop the effects of HIV / AIDS in Africa:

One African dies of AIDS related illness every 15 seconds. Around a quarter of the workforce in South Africa is HIV positive. There are nearly half a million new HIV infections in South Africa every year. There are currently 2.2 million AIDS orphans in South Africa.

It really is a Race Against Time to stop the spread of HIV / AIDS.

As the number of infected people grows and illness spreads, the number of people left in its wake also increases. Secondary casualties include orphans, teenagers and elderly carers. These groups become more vulnerable to HIV / AIDS themselves, exacerbating the problem. Part of the work of eradicating HIV / AIDS therefore involves providing support, care and education for those affected in order to minimise their vulnerability to the illness.

A relatively small sum of money can be of great help to people affected by HIV / AIDS. For example it costs just £45 to support a South African volunteer carer visiting terminally ill patients in their own homes for one month, and £10 to provide a food parcel for a family.

The broadcaster, Jon Snow has been a patron of The Race Against Time since 2005. "Getting excited about some kinds of news is easy!" he says "I've been committed to supporting work in South Africa for more than two decades - and today I'm delighted to tell you about a new initiative involving my other passion: cycling. I urge you to get involved with The Race Against Time - it really is a worthwhile event."

I have promised to raise £2,000 or more for projects funded by the Bishop Simeon Trust and would be extremely grateful for any support you could offer. This is my online personal sponsorhip account. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Bishop Simeon Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please dig deep and sponsor me now! Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Alex Blake

Donation by Martin Smith 04/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

cheers for an excellent week guys Donation by anonymous 10/08/08  

£430.00 + £121.28 Gift Aid

highway robbery !!! Donation by david edevane 07/08/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Donation by Nick Mattey 11/07/08  

£100.00

Good luck Alex!! Donation by Cami 26/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Such a worthy cause - well done. And what an experience - will there be a best seller to follow? Donation by Naomi 26/06/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Here we go, I've finally got round to it. I think you are en-route at the moment - take care mate. A Donation by André Leslie 26/06/08  

£10.00

Donation by Celeste 24/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Just make sure I never see you in your lycra, OK? p.s. Are you getting the train home? Donation by Ollie Bonfield 24/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

i'm a friend a saskia's. she told me what you are doing and it sounds great. well done! Donation by julie groves 23/06/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good luck and take care. We need you back in Ipswich in one piece! Donation by Martin Whitbread 20/06/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck you crazy person! Donation by Victoria Richman 12/06/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck Donation by Nick Mills 12/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck! Donation by Charles Cormack 11/06/08  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Go Boy Go! Donation by Alan & Rita 09/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

May the weather be kind! Good Luck Donation by Mark Newnham 08/06/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Alex you are crazy but I'm very impressed! Good luck! Donation by Becci Reidy 21/05/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

You have trained so hard it's going to be a breeze. Lots of love XXX Donation by Saskia Blake 20/05/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Best of luck Alex!! Donation by Alex Mattey 20/05/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck Al wishing you all the best, great cause, but remember to tuck your shoe laces in before you start biking! Donation by sian smith 16/05/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

came on go for it! Donation by The spaniard 01/05/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck! Donation by Catherine Kenny 01/05/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Ride on! Remember your padded shorts Donation by Sam 30/04/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck Big Al!! Donation by Justine Walker 29/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck and great cause Donation by Cecilia Howson 29/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by céline 29/04/08  

£10.00

SS, all that training will pay off and I'm sure you'll have the ride of your life, said the actress to the bishop. Good luck fella Donation by Eagle 1 29/04/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

We'll be cheering you on when Edinburgh is reached. Will you need stoking up? Should we invest in Donation by Brian & Ros 29/04/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

just make sure you stop at the end! Donation by Gavin Reid 28/04/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

good luck Donation by Carol Skinner 17/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £1,905.00
  Offline donations: £107.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £496.41

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