SUCCESS! 

I cycled 1171 miles from Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy, starting on Monday 25 May, and arriving in Harrogate 21 days later on Sunday 14 June.  In the process of crossing the Alps, I was the first cyclist to climb the St Gotthard pass this summer, and therefore appeared in the Swiss newspapers.  I have been amazed at the generousity of my supporters, and currently, when Gift Aid is included, £8,500 has been pledged, almost all of which has now been received.  

The following information about my charity and my challenge was written before I set off.

In February 2008 I was privileged to work in Tanzania, with Andy and Susie Hart, from Harrogate.  They set up Neema Crafts Workshop for disabled people in 2003.  I witnessed how they are changing so many lives as well as cultural attitudes towards people with disabilities.  In September 2008 I walked the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu for Neema Crafts.  

I am now going to undertake the biggest challenge of my life.  I will cycle from Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy to Harrogate, starting on Monday 25 May.  It will be well over 1,000 miles, and requires cycling over two of the highest passes in the Alps.  The hardest part of the challenge comes in the first 3 days.  The ride starts at 630' above sea level, and climbs continually for 70 miles before starting the awesome ascent of the St Gotthard Pass which rises to over 6,900'.  I'll descend to Andermatt (4,700') before another gruelling climb up the Oberalp Pass (over 6,700').  After that I can relax (???) downhill for the next 900+ miles, following the River Rhine all the way from its source through Switzerland, Leichtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands to the North Sea.  I'll take the overnight ferry from Rotterdam to Hull, before cycling the final leg of this epic journey, from Hull to Harrogate.   The return trip should take 3 weeks to complete, arriving back in Harrogate on Sunday 14 June.  My wife, Di, and I will drive to Lake Maggiore, and Di will drive back.  We intend to meet up each lunch and evening - provided she can work out how to use her Sat Nav!  

Neema Crafts moved into a new, much larger, purpose built workshop in February 2009.  Funds previously raised in the UK to fully pay for the new building and new equipment  have been badly hit by the recent fall in the value of the pound, creating an unexpected shortfall in their finances of £25,000.  So please sponsor me now to help to bridge this gap.  Initially I thought £5,000 would be a fantastic - but almost impossible - target, however, with Gift Aid to be added to the online and offline donations pledged so far, this target has already been exceeded, so I have now set my sights on £7,500.  Every penny donated goes to Neema Crafts.

if you would like to learn more about Neema Crafts, please visit www.neemacrafts.com