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!)