(Please read below for my cycling practice updates)
Hi I'm Elizabeth and I've asked my Dad to produce this page because I'm only 7 years old and didn't know how to do it myself. I'm an average 7yr old, love school, swimming, playing the piano, my sister, Mum and Dad etc. I also love to ride my bike. In fact I love riding my bike so much that I am going to do this amazing sponsored bike ride for Sunfield and I hope that you'll help by sponsoring me.
I came up with this idea because I wanted to do something that would make a difference for my favourite local charity Sunfield whilst setting myself a personal challenge. Sunfield is an extra special place that is dedicated to supporting and teaching children and young people (from 6-19years) with autism. Sunfield does a wonderful job of caring for and developing children with autism 7 days a week 52 weeks a year. They have a really caring and dedicated team of staff who all do an amazing job. Apart from the fees paid by various local authorities for the direct services provided to the particular child which they place at Sunfield, the charity has to rely on donations and they need our help to raise extra funds to provide the children with the specialised facilities, equipment and experiences that they need.
I am looking to raise money to help Sunfield to buy new outdoor sensory play equipment (please see below for more information)
The plan is that Dad and I will cycle a return trip of 100kms from Clent to the Cotswolds (Mickleton/Chipping Campden) in the first weekend in May. This ride will probably take us two whole days and will be quite a challenge for me as I've only got little legs and my bike isn't the world's biggest/fastest either. I'm training for it at the moment and have got some way to go yet - it's defintely worth it though.
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Cycling practice 7 March 2010 - Daddy and I managed to ride 18 miles today. It was very cold and took us three hours (including a couple of stops), we were both very tired afterwards and I found Daddy asleep upstairs shortly after we got home!
4.4.10 - This weekend we have driven the route that we are taking and booked a hotel for us to stay over, so here's our plan:
Sunday 2nd May Leave Clent (circa 09:00/09:30) > Lickey End > Burcot > Tardebigge > Alcester (stop for lunch/refreshments etc) > Binton > Welford on Avon > Long Marston > Mickleton/Chipping Campden.
We are then staying overnight at the Three Ways House (home of The Pudding Club) where we are looking forward to being in one of their 'Pudding Rooms' - we will be joined for dinner and the overnight stay by Mummy and Lucy (and hopefully Uncle Phil & Auntie Helen will join us for dinner too - the restaurant/brasserie at the Three Ways House takes some beating we are told). After a relaxing overnight stay and a big breakfast, Daddy and I will head off again this time back home to complete our 100km ride. We are planning to leave the Three Ways House at about 09:30 on Monday morning so that I can get home in plenty of time to rest my legs before school the next day.
We are going to ride the same route back home.
Cycling practice 5.4.10 - Leisurely 15 mile ride from Clent through Belbroughton, Bourneheath, Bromsgrove, Catshill, Fairfield, Belbroughton and back home to Clent. Saw lots of farm animals including alpaca! Dad was pretty tired afterwards - I had enough energy to play with Lucy though (he's a lightweight!).
7.4.10 - 11.4.10 - In Devon for part of the Easter holidays at Nanna and Grandad's house - will try to get out the bike that Grandad bought me in Devon - will need to get some serious practice in when I get back (Dad tells me!)
18.4.10 - 10 mile practice ride - started off a little bit reluctant as dad dragged me away from playing with my sister Lucy in the garden. Got into it about halfway through after stopping to take a photo at the alpaca farm. Saw an amazing heron fishing a lake, we then went off road for a while on a bridle way before completing the ride on the roads through Fairfield and Belbroughton and back home.
24.4.10 - 2 hour practice ride (not sure about distance) - Dad and I headed off through Clent to Broome and then down Stakenbridge Lane, we cycled off road for some time on bridle ways and emerged on the road near Iverley, from Iverley we rode through Churchill, Blakedown, Hackmans Gate, Belbroughton and back home - picture taken at end of ride. A good and rather hilly training ride. Afterwards dad and I cleaned my bike up and oiled up the chain and gears, dad also put on some new less knobbly tyres in preparation for the big ride next weekend. We've been working hard for this ride so that all the children and young adults at Sunfield will benefit so please do give generously - thanks for reading - we look forward to updating you after the ride!
Updated on May 2nd 2010 at 12:17 PM using the JustGiving iPhone app
2/5/2010 12:05 stopped for lunch just beyond Alcester - Elizabeth is doing really well so far!!!!
2/5/2010 - 14:30 - arrived at the Three Ways House in Mickleton feeling very happy and excited about staying overnight and meeting up with uncle Phil and auntie Helen.
3/5/2010 - 10:15 left Mickleton after a hearty breakfast (and a great night last night)
3/5/2010 - 12:00 - stopped for lunch between Alcester and Redditch, really tough riding today, we are heading into a northerly wind and it is raining on and off - I'll be OK, Daddy will need to dig deep though, he's struggling!
3/5/2010 - 14:40 - Made it back home to Holy Cross, Clent after two days and 64miles/100kms of cycling, an overnight stay in Mickleton (we had bunk beds - hooray!!), some really nice food at the Three Ways House, a great evening with Uncle Phil and Auntie Helen, 8 refreshment stops (thanks Mummy and Lucy - we couldn't have done it without you xxxxxxx) and some tired legs. We were welcomed by some friends thanks for coming to say hello Alice, Millie, Joseph and Lucy it was great to see you!!
Many thanks for the offline donations....Nanna & Grandad, The Lewis's, Hilary & daughter (Bromsgrove Rd), Matthew at daddy's work, Kat at daddy's work, Marie, Jo, John Salisbury at daddy's work
More information about the cause:
Sensory Integration Therapy has been found to be an effective strategy for reducing 'non-engaged' behaviour and for increasing 'engaged' behaviour. It is therefore vital that Sunfield has appropriate 'sensory' resources, so they are consequently fundraising for several new 'sensory' facilities including a sensory garden, sensory integration therapy room, snoezelen/sensory room, and a special outdoor sensory play area.
All the money raised through our sponsored bike ride will go towards the outdoor play area. This will cost £50,000 to install but all of the equipment has been selected for the intense sensory input and the gross motor skill development which it offers. The equipment is robust enough to meet the needs of all the students whether they are at the younger age range (7 years), right up to young adult students (19 years). The equipment will be accessed throughout the school day and in the students' leisure time at evenings and weekends.
