Raised: 107%
Target: £1,250.00
Raised so far: £1,335.00
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My story

 

Update 14 September 2009

We made it to Paris...and thoroughly enjoyed the process. It was a pleasure and a privilege to cycle with everyone and I can't wait to plan my next trip. The sun shone, although the wind did occasionally threaten to blow me into the nearest French field and my legs seemed to enjoy rather than endure too. Thanks so much to everyone who's sponsored me...or thinking of sponsoring me!

 

Thanks so much for visiting!

Now Cam’s at school and Annabel’s a feisty toddler I'm hoping the worst of the sleepless nights are behind me...so I felt ready for a personal challenge in 2009. Then my friend Tina suggested cycling to Paris in September. If we’re going to put all that effort into a four-day, 300-mile cycle ride we figured we could motivate ourselves even more by doing it for a good cause.

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I’ve chosen to support Shelter because bad housing wrecks lives. We often think of the homeless as people on the streets, but this accounts for a tiny percentage of homeless people. Most of those in need of a home live in temporary or emergency accommodation. For example, today 1.6 million UK children grow up homeless or in bad housing. Shelter campaigns tirelessly to end this and provides practical support for people in damp, over-crowded and downright dangerous accommodation.

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Ever since I watched Ken Loach’s famous drama-documentary Cathy Come Home on my university course I’ve donated to Shelter. The programme charts Cathy’s young family’s descent into homelessness after her husband loses his job. Tears still run down my cheeks when I recall the final harrowing scene in which social services take away Cathy’s children. Watching it made me realize just how much I’d taken for granted my stable home life and the decent opportunities it had afforded me.

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I need to raise £1250 by June (all of your donations will go to Shelter) to secure my place on the bike ride. I’d be so grateful for your support. So too will those such as the one in seven UK children who wake up desperate to escape the place in which they live, and whose parents turn to Shelter’s Housing Aid Centres for support.


Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Shelter gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
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(PS I promise a photo of me on bike as soon as I get on one!)

Well done Ali! Hope to see you soon. Vxx Donation by Victoria Fraser 24/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done from John and Sue Donation by john weeks 21/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Donation by Marion Layman 15/09/09  

I think Adrian survived with the kids, (just!) so what's next? Donation by Rachael & Phil 15/09/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Well done; an amazing achievement! Donation by Sophie Smith 15/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good Luck really admire you. Donation by Kathy Edmunds 09/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Ali. Bon courage and bon voyage! A great cause. F & A xx Donation by Fiona & Alasdair 07/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Ali - I'm full of admiration! Enjoy every minute! Donation by Jo 07/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the best Ali and lets hope the wind is behind you! Great cause too. Donation by Anna Rogers 04/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done Ali - you go for it! Best of luck and safe pedalling. Donation by Jo Musson 01/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done Ali for committing to such a worth while cause. Looking forward to hearing all about it. Donation by Sadie 30/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Enjoy!? (We hear that a top tip is sudocrem for the sore bits!) Good luck. Graham, Em & the boys. Donation by Graham Storey 19/07/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

hope the weather is kind to you Donation by keith & Margaret Hodges 10/06/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

I'm sure it's not 300 miles - have you checked a map lately? Donation by Nick & Jan 04/06/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

You are truely bonkers, best of luck!! Donation by Q & Sketch 04/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done Ali - looking forward to tales of high jinks in the saddle. Very best of luck Donation by Julian, Kathy, Emily & Alice 02/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

May the wind always be behind you, good luck. Donation by Derek, Sue, Charlotte and Sol 18/05/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Are you cycling home? Good luck Ali - very envious! Donation by Heather & Charlie Jefferies 10/05/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Madness deserves a reward! Good luck! x Donation by Keith 07/05/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Best of luck - I hope you have a comfortable bike for that trip! Donation by John Richards 06/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

How are you going to get the wine and cheese back? Donation by David and Julia 06/05/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

I seem to remember from a French bike tour 20 years ago that Normandy is surprisingly hilly - get practising! Donation by Bill Roberts 30/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go Girls!! Best of luck x Donation by Bindy & Marcus 28/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Get a saddle that fits YOUR bum. You wouldn't walk that far in shoes that didn't fit!! Impressed and envious in equal measure. Donation by Dot 28/04/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Rachel Pollard 27/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

You must be bonkers, game but bonkers.... Donation by Chris Phillips 27/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Ali - hope all goes well - a little jealous if the truth be known! Donation by Jules & Caro 26/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

I'll echo the Valley Cushion comment - made me chuckle! Good luck! Donation by Julia Sadler 24/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Ali - rather you than me ! Donation by Melissa W 24/04/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

You might need a valley cushion after that! Donation by Linda and Andy 24/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £1,160.00
  Offline donations: £175.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £318.72

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