Raised: 88%
Target: £30,000.00
Raised so far: £26,469.60
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My story

 

Earlswood End 2 Enders

NEW : Follow our progress here including GPS tracks, video & photos:

http://earlswoodend2enders.blogspot.com/

The Challenge –Cycling from Lands End to John O’ Groats in 10 days on May 15th 2009 – 24th May 2009 approx 90 miles per day to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. All money raised will go to the charity as all the riders and support crew are self funding.

My name is Simon Lewis, my fellow riders are Sanj Talwar, Richard Batchelor and Tony Watton who will be completing the full tour. Omar Mahmood, Paul Malpass & Kevin Mulhall will be completing the 300 mile leg through Scotland. John Kelly will be driving the support vehicle & organising the admin.

The reason for us forty somethings undertaking this challenge all started last January when my 9 year old son, Sean was involved in a near fatal car accident in which the driver died, and Sean was rushed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital with serious head and chest injuries. He spent three days in Intensive care, and thanks to the commitment and dedication of the staff he has now made a full recovery.

About two weeks after this tragic event, my sister Jade informed me that her 7 year old daughter Jazmine had been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing sarcoma. The prognosis was not good. Over the past 15 months Jazmine has undergone several courses of chemotherapy, she has dealt with all the side effects of this very bravely, and is now facing major surgery this week in order to remove the tumour from her femur. After the operation she will have ongoing treatment and care from the hospital for up to five years in order to ensure the cancer does not return.

Previously to all of this another friend of mine, John Kelly, had his son Vinny admitted to the Children’s Hospital suffering with E Coli which led to Kidney Failure. He spent over a month in the Renal Unit & a few days in intensive care. He has luckily made a reasonable recovery but will need ongoing help from the hospital for years to come. The staff at the hospital were, & continue to be, amazing & John continues to try & support them wherever possible.

When I announced that I was going to ride from Lands End to John o Groats last August ,alone, my friends Richard, Omar, John, Sanj and Tony all immediately offered to ride and/or support the undertaking, which I gladly took them up on- thank God somebody wanted to do it with me!

Little did Tony know when he volunteered last August that his yet to be born granddaughter, Olivia would also be in need of the life saving services of Birmingham Chidren’s Hospital. Olivia was diagnosed with a cystic legion in her right lung due to be removed at approximately a year old. However, unexpectedly at only 3 months old Olivia, took a turn for the worse and was rushed to A and E, a week later a life-saving operation was performed and the majority of her right lung was removed. Olivia was in PICU for 24 hours and then transferred to the neo-natal surgical ward for a week. Thankfully, Olivia has made a full recovery which is down to the fantastic staff and BCH.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital is an amazing institution staffed by outstanding specialists in all fields, without whose help, expertise and commitment the outcome for the above children and countless others would be unthinkable.

So please give whatever you can to support this fantastic hospital, so that it can move forward and improve its facilities and carry on doing what they do best which is saving children’s lives.


Well Done Everyone, from Omar's friend Donation by Alan Tse 13/08/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous 12/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

WELL DONE TONY Donation by BRIAN HAGAN 10/08/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

WELL DONE EVERYONE Donation by GORDON STANLEY 03/08/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

well done lads! Donation by Barry Cheese (Bluebell) 31/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

well done Tony and the lads Donation by Blackpool Kev 31/07/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Well done everybody, from Omar's aunty Donation by Zakia Mahmood 23/07/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

This money has been raised from the collection tin in Dal Forno's Restaurant. A big thank you for the staff and customers generous donations. Donation by Dal Forno's Restaurant, Shirley 15/07/09  

£44.00

Great Cause!! Well Done Men Donation by James @ The Punchbowl 09/07/09  

£100.00

I never thought I would see the name Richard Batchelor and Charity in the same sentence. Well done chaps Donation by Dave Savage 08/07/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

A very big thanks to Sara and all at Claverdon Village Nursery who have had first hand experience of marvelous treatment and care Given by BCH Donation by Sara 08/07/09  

£226.00 + £63.74 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous 06/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well Done - its for a great cause Donation by Karen Bowdler 02/07/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Donation by Eddie McGroarty 24/06/09  

£20.00

If you read this big boy biker you can you can come up and see me anytime as long as you don't bring that geeky asian guy ! Donation by Annabel form Pub in Inverness 12/06/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Well done to the "freaky" asian boy (not the fat miserable one) for a truly memorable ride - if you're ever in Inverness you should come get some!! Donation by Karen from Inverness 12/06/09  

£5.00

Many thanks to Keith and Ruth and to all who sponsored us from the Bluebell. Donation by The Bluebell Ciderhouse 12/06/09  

£730.00

the rest is in the charity box!well done! Donation by Pallavi 11/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done guys.....Simon - glad your navigational skillls have improved, so you'll find Puerto Portals OK next time you're over here! Donation by John, Ros & Kristy 10/06/09  

£125.00

A splendid achievement, Tony, for a very worthy cause. An adventure that you and the team will cherish for the rest of your lives. Donation by Geoff and Linda Taylor 07/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

We are very proud of your huge achievement. Donation by Jamie & Jane Oliver 07/06/09  

£100.00

thanks to all the customers at Wedges Bakery! Donation by Wedges Bakery Collection Tin 06/06/09  

£55.00

Never mind the cycling ...what about the Blue Bell Ski Trip!? Donation by Kev (plasterer) 06/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

well done Tony! Donation by Auntie Brenda and Uncle Trevor 06/06/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

you must the only bunch of guys to put weight on doing lands end to john o groats challenge...must have been the flapjacks Donation by John Griffiths - Wedges Bakery 06/06/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

well done Sanj ! Donation by juj 06/06/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

well done from us all. Donation by Fivelands Veterinary Centre 04/06/09  

£70.00

Well done to you all! Donation by Jayne and Gary Oakes 04/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Congratulations to Earlswood End to Enders for their excellent achievement for a worthy cause. WELL DONE ! Donation by Varley & Gulliver Ltd 04/06/09  

£1,000.00

Amazing achievement Donation by carole bartram 04/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £21,360.84
  Offline donations: £5,108.76
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £3,531.85

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