Donna Wellby
Donna Wellby's Fundraising Page
Fundraising for Transaid
Story
Dear All
So it came to the date of May 7th and time to head off to Zambia, to attempt to cycle 420km over 5 days, all in the name of charity! And, I'm delighted to report-I did it!! There were times when I doubted that I would-but with the help and support (both from others on the trip and texts from home) I crossed the finish line, having completed the full course.
I admit that during some training days before departure, when squinting into driving rain, pushing myself and my bicycle up what seem rather short hills now I have experienced Zambia, in the Sussex countryside, I did wonder about giving up the whole project.
But it took just one day to put the whole into context-on the first day, prior to starting the ride, we were all taken to the Industrial Training Centre Trust. During the visit, the true horror of the African transport problem was described in graphic detail. Accidents on the road, through inadequate training and poor road systems, directly lead to death. And this often leads directly to families losing their breadwinner, or having the added burden or caring for injured or disabled members occurring from accidents. Suddenly those cold wet days in the UK were banished memories as we had the opportunity to make a real difference!
The challenge this year ended up with 25 willing participants from various backgrounds but most with an ability to cycle which exceeded that which I had managed to attain in the 6 months of training. Fortunately there were no egos to assuage and all mucked in to help me through! Not just in practical terms (training me in technique) but by a plethora of words of encouragement, and accompanying me on what seemed to be 420 km of uphill riding.
Though exhaustion did play its part in preventing me from fully embracing all around me whilst cycling, the real beauty of the trip was the route-this took us well away from traditionally visited areas, so we were able to see Africa in its raw beauty-and most importantly, Africans being their natural, welcoming selves untarnished by outside influence.
Sunny smiles of welcome littered our trips through remote villages and whilst somewhat rustic (at best) the accommodation meant we were actually part of the African experience-I can assure you that such charity trips don't extend to five star hotels in the evening.
Overall, it's been a hugely enjoyable experience-getting fit to take on the challenge, actually meeting the sponsorship target, and successfully completing the course. So much fun, so much hard work and all for a truly worthy cause.
Between us so far we have raised over £80K.
Donna
So it came to the date of May 7th and time to head off to Zambia, to attempt to cycle 420km over 5 days, all in the name of charity! And, I'm delighted to report-I did it!! There were times when I doubted that I would-but with the help and support (both from others on the trip and texts from home) I crossed the finish line, having completed the full course.
I admit that during some training days before departure, when squinting into driving rain, pushing myself and my bicycle up what seem rather short hills now I have experienced Zambia, in the Sussex countryside, I did wonder about giving up the whole project.
But it took just one day to put the whole into context-on the first day, prior to starting the ride, we were all taken to the Industrial Training Centre Trust. During the visit, the true horror of the African transport problem was described in graphic detail. Accidents on the road, through inadequate training and poor road systems, directly lead to death. And this often leads directly to families losing their breadwinner, or having the added burden or caring for injured or disabled members occurring from accidents. Suddenly those cold wet days in the UK were banished memories as we had the opportunity to make a real difference!
The challenge this year ended up with 25 willing participants from various backgrounds but most with an ability to cycle which exceeded that which I had managed to attain in the 6 months of training. Fortunately there were no egos to assuage and all mucked in to help me through! Not just in practical terms (training me in technique) but by a plethora of words of encouragement, and accompanying me on what seemed to be 420 km of uphill riding.
Though exhaustion did play its part in preventing me from fully embracing all around me whilst cycling, the real beauty of the trip was the route-this took us well away from traditionally visited areas, so we were able to see Africa in its raw beauty-and most importantly, Africans being their natural, welcoming selves untarnished by outside influence.
Sunny smiles of welcome littered our trips through remote villages and whilst somewhat rustic (at best) the accommodation meant we were actually part of the African experience-I can assure you that such charity trips don't extend to five star hotels in the evening.
Overall, it's been a hugely enjoyable experience-getting fit to take on the challenge, actually meeting the sponsorship target, and successfully completing the course. So much fun, so much hard work and all for a truly worthy cause.
Between us so far we have raised over £80K.
Donna