Thanks so much for visiting. This is a huge challenge! 400K from Ho Chi Minh City, through Vietnam and into Cambodia, finishing at Angkor Wat, over 7 days cycling - Yes little old Me - whos bum hadn't seen a saddle in 20yrs until March of this year. OUCH!
I'm raising funds for St. Teresa's Hospice, an amazing charity who helped Mum & I beyound words
Most of the workers at St. Teresa's are giving their time, energy and emotions for free, whether it be a day care driver using their own car to drive clients to the hospice and back home again. Or hair dressing/beauty therapy proffesions, or medical and nursing skills. And so donations such as yours will help to provide the essential equipment to allow all of this great work and people to give this, totally charitable and selfless service.
Please donate whatever you can regardless of the amount, every single penny we manage to raise together goes straight toward helping families such as ours, along with individuals who are also living with a life-limiting & terminal illness. So even a small amount will add together with other small amounts and grow in to a large amount.
I have paid for the full cost of this trip myself and so you are in no way donating for me to take a nice jolly holiday, meandering along sunny paddy fields.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Darlington & District Hospice Movement 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.
Thank you for your support and donations. Mum Zip-Wired across St James' Park for charity once and so she'd be proud that you're thinking of supporting this charity challenge.
Kind Regards xxxx Clare xxxx
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UPDATES
5/8/09 Training has started to get serious now! I'll be back to tell you more in a couple of weeks - with buttocks of steel!!
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26/9/09 With it now being an entire year since Mum died this challenge seems al the more poiniant and emotionally special to me. I'm missing her like it's been ten years since seeing and talking to her but, trying to move on, puttng time into raising money from businesses and friends in her memory.
SPONSORS Some businesses have been kind and generous beyond belief - Especially Delhi-icous Indian Take Away (Cutpurse, Richmond) who gave beyound our wildest dreams, so a huge thank you to Sid and his fab family.
Also a massive thanks to Vincent's Motors (Colburn, Catterick), NEWROC (Tading Est. Richmond), Yorkshire Dales Building Control (Richmond), Stepping out2 & Menylls Pet Supplies (both Finkle st. Rich), Andy Whiteside Joinery (Trade Est Rich) and Evolve Architectural Sevices (Trad Est Rich), Catermech Catering Equipment Suplier (Trade Est Rich) plus Acomb Construction (Rich TradEst) and Jonothan Fry & Co Ltd (Trad. Est. Rich) who, without hesitation, all kindly sponsored the start of my first training shirt. THANKS ALL.
IM STILL LOOKING FOR MORE BUSINESS SPONSORS TO COMPLETE THE FIRST SHIRT AND START THE SECOND. IF YOU CAN, PPLLLSSSS DO.
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TRAINING......... Had a few hick-ups since last time. Being knocked off by Mr Green Van Man - who broke my bike Collin, but he was kindly saved by Scotty & Arthur Caygill, The Cycle Dr's. Then encountered punctue after puncture to the point where I wanted to brake Colin myself with a size 5 cycle shoe! Then there's the darkening evenings, working a lot and finally the chest infection which kept Collin & I under house arrest for a week or so. This biking lark seemed so easy thirty years ago when Mum bought the bike, fixed the bike, cleaned the bike...heheehe :)
But now, Im back on track and doing well. Trying to get out out 5 times a week for between 10mile rides and 35mile rides. So Im pretty proud that i can do these distances on a regular basis. THERES A HUGE WAY TO GO STILL THOUGH :O I need to be doing double that before too much longer as we're only EIGHT weeks away from the big job now - EIGHT WEEKS....oooooh ecky-thump
So, I'll be back to tell you more in a couple of weeks, let you know how things are going and where we're up to with sponsors and donations. So, for now, I'd better get on m'bike! THANKS EVERYONE, xxxCLARExxxx
24.10.09 - Three Weeks & Counting
Is it really only 3 & 1/2 weeks until set off already!! Where have these past few months gone? Anyone know?
A huge thank you to everyone who has sponsored me since I was here last - your donations will be well utilised by St Teresa's and will make a huge difference. Thanks again guys, you're all lttle stars :)
Well, training's been quite hard to fit this past month-if I'm not working then it's been throwing it down with rain, or blowing a hoolie, or too dark. So, it's been quite a lot of indoor training with Colin jacked up in the front room. On the plus side, though, stopping for a wee is far easier this way and I'm starting to think that cycling and the soaps are a groovy kind of combination.
I think that I'm ready for this now - thank goodness. I'm had a vacination for every imaginable disease and I've watched Bear Grylls in case I get lost hehehe
14.11.09 Oh my goodness: only 4 days left!
So the time is upon us: I'm ready to go on my journey. Vietnam; Cambodia here I come with my saddle and helmet. The only thing that seems to still be missing is my Mum. She loved travelling and would have been soooo excited for me and, right now when I'd be doing something like this, her and I would be spending time together before i'd go. I still miss her like mad.
I just want to say a MASSIVE TANK YOU to everyone who has dug deep, in hard times, and sponsored my trip. St Teresa's will be able to do great things with your cash and help people just like Mum & I. Thank you again. Especially to the local businesses who agreed to sponsor my shirts, I do hope that you've seen me riding in them, I will also be taking them along with me to wear in Asia so you'll geta photo or two.
I'm almost ready to go - got the pants packed, the toothbrush and plenty of vasaline so that just leaves getting on the plane in 4 days time :o
I'll be blogging on here whilst away so do drop in at check othow my bum's doing!!!
Thanks again everyone and see you when I return.
Love to you all
Clare
