Hello and thanks for taking the time to visit my fundraising webpage.

I have chosen to use JustGiving for my online donations as it is simple, fast and totally secure for you all to use. Once you donate, the money will be sent directly to my nominated charities.

My cycle challenge:

For five days commencing Monday 19^th October 09 I will be cycling from to Leicester, then onto , then to Rugby and finally back to . This will require me to cycle a minimum of 107 miles a day. 535 miles over the five days. For the record when I committed to this cycle challenge in August this year I had not even been on a bike for 14 years so you can rest assured you will not be donating to a closet ‘Lance Armstrong’.

A bit about me and my chosen charities:

My name is Craig Smith, I'm 35 years old and live in Coventry. At work I’m a Regional Manager for Jobs@Pertemps recruitment agency. My region includes branches in Leicester, Rugby and .

Since joining Jobs@Pertemps in 2002 I have always been supported with my fundraising efforts. This is the 5th charity fundraiser I have taken part in, but is by far the biggest challenge I have ever taken on.

It has always been important to me to involve the local branches that I work at with my fundraising efforts as to engaging the local communities to raise vital funds for local charities.

I have supported the The Myton Hospices for a number of years now but since spending a lot of time in Leicester this year I have also become aware of the wonderful support that the LOROS Hospices provide for the local community. It is because of this that all funds raised will be split between the two charities. More information below:

The Myton Hospices    http://www.mytonhospice.org/     Reg Charity No. 516287

The Myton Hospice is the only in-patient unit caring for terminally ill people in and Warwickshire. It also has day hospices in and and runs a Hospice at Home service. All care is free. A £5 million appeal to build and fund a 20-bed hospice in is still ongoing to enable the new facilty to open later this year. Additional annual funds of £4 million will then be required to keep the fantastic facility operational. 

LOROS, The Leicestershire and Hospice   http://www.loros.co.uk/    Reg Charity No. 506120

LOROS provides specialised palliative care for terminally ill patients and their families along with a wide range of vital supporting services, free of charge. LOROS strives to improve quality of life by alleviating stress and pain and providing for the specific needs of the individual. Physical, emotional and spiritual support is given to patients. A fantastic new wing at the Hospice is nearing completion but will require additional annual funds of £3.5 million to support it.

 

Your donation could even win you a fabulous prize:

All donations will be really appreciated. However, every £10 you donate will be translated into a free prize draw ticket that could win you one of the prizes detailed further below. The prizes are worth more than £500. The prize draw will take place on Friday 6th November 09. Winners will be announced on my webpage and will be contacted individually.

 

A VERY BIG thank you to Mike Vaughan Cycles for kitting me out:

Mike Vaughan Jnr very generously provided me with a new bike, the kit and all the accessories needed to take on the challenge. His team at Mike Vaughan Cycles have also made themselves available for training / nutritional advice. http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/

 

Additional thanks:

Jane Tress, General Manager of the Warwickshire Health & Racquets Club has generously offered me unlimited access to the health & fitness facilities at the Club in the time leading up to the event. The fitness team have also been very supportive. http://www.esporta.com/warwickshire/location.asp

Fiona O’Reilly. Physiotherapist. Will be providing me with physio support throughout the challenge.

Carl Smith. MD of Muse & Ogle.  For providing design and marketing support throughout my fundraiser. Thanks bro!

http://www.museandogle.com

 

Businesses that have donated to my prize draw:

Milsoms Hotel / Lochfyne Restaurant, Sara Williams, Manager has kindly donated a prize of a meal for two to the value of £100 at the Lochfyne, Kenilworth as well as an overnight stay for 2 at the luxury Milsoms Hotel, . Prize is worth almost £200. http://www.milsomshotel.co.uk/kenilworth.php

http://www.lochfyne.com/Restaurants/Locations/Loch-Fyne-Kenilworth.aspx

Warwickshire Health & Racquet Club. Jane Tress, General Manager has kindly donated a free month's membership pass to the club as well as a spa day voucher worth an additional £50 for treatments that can include facials, massages etc. Prize worth £139. http://www.esporta.com/warwickshire/location.asp

Youngs Cameras, Mike Woodford, Manager has kindly donated a digital camera worth £100 http://www.youngscameras.co.uk/index.htm

Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd. Richard Lappin, Sales Manager has kindly donated £100 worth of iTunes vouchers http://www.cokecce.co.uk/

 

Corporate sponsors:

Additional corporte sponsors are very welcome to support my event. Companies that contribute more than £100 will have their company logo printed on the shirts that I will be wearing during the event. They will also receive a combined signed 'thank you' letter from me / The Myton Hospices / LOROS Hospices. If your company requires enhanced coverage in order to support this event please get in touch with me to discuss.

 

Please be as generous as you can as my charities are desperate for your support.

Feel free to contact me if you require any additional information.

Many thanks!

 

Craig Smith

– 07786 252376