We are two friends working for Henshaws Yorkshire as part of the community housing service. Both of us started about two years ago and we remain impressed with all the great work Henshaws does. Henshaws Yorkshire provides ongoing services encompassing education in the College, where students learn skills for life, Arts and Crafts Centre, where art makers are developing their talents, Community Housing and Supported Living where former students have an opportunity to further establish independence and be a part of the local neighbourhood and finally, Children & Families Service who organise activities and events for children with complex needs.
Henshaws in a registered charity and relies on voluntary donations. Together we have decided to do a fundraising bike ride – not any ride, but the ultimate bike challenge, tour across mainland Britain: Land’s End – John O’Groats. The challenge will be increased for us, as neither of us have ever done a multi-day cycling ride. We aim to cover a distance of over 1000 miles in 14 days, cycling between 60 and 100 miles each day, starting the ride on 28th of June 2010. We will be travelling unsupported, staying in B&B’s and youth hostels. 100% of your donations will go to Henshaws, as the full cost of the journey will be covered by us privately.
Few words about Luke:
In 2006 I moved to Harrogate from Warsaw, where I worked at a telecommunication company and studied at the Institute of Information and Book Studies. After 18 months of working in a nursing home I got the job at Henshaws in community housing. At first I was shocked how independent the housemates were. In my ignorance I never thought that blind people, living in a care home could have such interesting and fulfilling lives. Many of our service users can travel independently to town, cook complicated meals or use the Internet to organise days out. Sometimes it’s really easy to forget that they can’t see! Seeing housemates gaining their independence makes the staff and themselves very proud. As cycling is my passion, inspired by my service users I decided to organise this fundraising ride. When I announced it in the house I work in, our housemates were first people who wanted to sponsor us. I hope that you will join them!
Few words about Tim:
I am a retired fire officer, whose hobbies have included rugby, white water canoeing, squash, long distance hiking, rock climbing and mountaineering. I have raised money for a number of charities over the years, but keep returning to Henshaw’s. Now that I know the Service Users and realise what terrific people they are, I would like to encourage you to give generously. Your support is very much needed and please do come along and see how the funds we raise will be spent.
We hope you will find our effort worthy of your support, so please help us reach our fundraising target and donate generously!
We would like to thank the Specialized Concept Store in Harrogate for their professional advice. Without this help and their generosity our challenge would be harder.
