Thank you for visiting our fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor us online.

The main information about what we are doing is below these updates towards the lower part of this page.

Update:

20th September

Okay, so we did it - well Gill did anyway - all 323 miles of it! I started to tear a tendon on day 3 and for part of day 3 and day 4, the Doctor told me to get in the van to ease the tendon - so I did as much as I could.

Thanks so much to all our sponsors and this site remains open for one month after the event date for anyone else who wants to donate.

Thanks a million - Gary Payne

8th September

Okay, so just a couple of days to go now to the start. I am sure that we have completed over 1,000 miles of practice cycling! Gill and I have been cycling into work and home again all week again, 32 miles round trip, and we don't feel too bad.

Out for a curry tonight, one more big cycle tomorrow then we will give ourselves Sunday off - well, we are flying to Lithuania and I don't think they would be too happy if we were cycling up and down the aisle on the plane!

So, what can we say, oh yes, you can track our progress at: www.great500.co.uk as those wonderful people at Marie Curie are tracking our progress and updating this site every 30 minutes - apparently.

Anyway, thank you all so much, those of you who have been hanging on to your pennies, donate them now - this site will accept donations for up to one month after the ride.

All the donations we have received will be warmly received and faithfully applied to the magnificent work of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Thank you

24th August

Went into hospital yesterday to have an epidural to help my spine cope with the cycle-ride - it needs about 10 days to take effect. This is something that I have done every 9 months or so because of an old back injury in 1977. Gill has cycled in to work this morning alone (I did wave at her on my way past in the van) as it will take me about 2 or 3 days to recover and the stiffness to ease. Right foot (the one I partially severed in 1999) aches a bit now but coping well. (You know, I really hope that this is plucking at your heart strings and is making you feel extra generous - I have no qualms about tugging at your wallets! )

We are planning a big cycle ride this weekend as we have been easily able to do 32 miles per day with little problem, so this weekend, we will push this to 50 miles in one day. We feel ready and comfortable for the big ride - we think it will be a lot easier with everyone cycling together, pushing and motivating each other.

Only two weekends between now and the big ride - we really can't wait. we are enjoying the cycling too - except when it's a head wind!

Remember the poem by Walt Wintle - bottom of this text/page.

Thanks to all the recent donations - fantastic!

19th July

Okay, so that's Garden Party is out of the way. A fantastic afternoon - thank you all for coming. I loved the 'Sumo Suits'. Thank you all for the comments about the food too. I will adjust the 'money raised offline' figures shortly once I have counted and banked all the bits however, it looks like together we raised £1,115 - wow!

Thanks a million to you all.

12th July

How simply wonderful people are. On the 10th July, knowing that we had the garden party coming up this weekend on the 15th, I popped a note through our window cleaner's letterbox to ask if there was any possibility of a quick clean before the party. I suppose I was hoping that he might just be able to get there say by Friday (14th). However, I came home yesterday (11th) and guess what, they were done already! Ben had also put a note through the door to say that he was busy moving house at the moment and couldn't make the party but to accept his fee as his donation in lieu.

So Ben Smith, you are a star! Not just because you got them done, not just because you donated your fee - but because you took time out from a very stressful operation - moving home - to help us and Marie Cure - thank you .

11th July

Oh wow, really starting to rock and roll now. Gill and I are regularly cycling into work - 32 mile round trip, so the training is going really well.

Just received a donation from Deeside Power Station - thanks all - £250!

Also still getting the all important fivers and tenners so thanks to everyone's generousity.

All organised for the Garden Party this weekend, Saturday 1pm - North Lincs, last chance to let me know if you want to come: gary@gillpayne.com bouncy castle for the kids and sumo for the big kids (adults), loads of food, raffle prizes, mini auction, garden games, singer, karaoke etc.

Big thanks to Rob Drury of PR Sharpe Butchers (meats), Morrison's PLC (big discount on salad's, wine, etc), B&Q (discount on garden games for the raffle), St Margaret's Church Laceby (loan of marquees), Angelique from Virgin Vie (Perfume Raffle Prizes), The Reeds Hotel Barton-Upon-Humber (Dinner for Two Raffle Prize), Edwina Currie (Yes, that one - Auction Prizes), Keith Loven (Raffle Prizes), The Magna Centre Sheffield (Family Ticket Raffle Prize), Helen and Tony for the loan of their fridge, David and Claire for the loan of yet another fridge and cooker - and more...

Oh you lovely people!

7th July

Many thanks to British Energy (definately due to the persuasive powers of Eggborough Power Station staff - probably gained from our training  we would like to think!) for the cheque we received this morning - £250 - thanks guys and gals!

3rd July

Now its getting serious! Gill and I have started cycling into work regularly, when we can. That's 32 miles a day  

Feeling fit and looking good we are, and modest too. All the help you can give will be much appreciated. Getting ready as well for our little Garden Party on the 15th July - going to be quite busy I think.

Just been on radio Humberside giving some feedback on our last charity event, the Men 4 Sale auction in aid of St Andrew's Hospice and given a plug for this event too, so if you heard that and you have come to our site from that plug - thank you!

2nd June 2006

Just received a great donation from Sarah in our office. She did her own mini cycle ride just 20 miles  and thank you very much, she raised £150 and has donated it all to our cycle ride - marvellous stuff Sarah, thanks a load!

Getting ready for the summer Garden Party, 15th July, at our home in Goxhill - if you want to come, let me know: gary@gillpayne.com

26th May 2006

Very wet cycling at the moment - well, at least I don't have to water the garden!

Just organising our Garden Party for Saturday, July 15th, 1pm to 9pm, at our home. There will be food, fun, games, magic, singing, raffle and maybe an auction of some kind. We are asking all adults who attend to donate £5, yep, just £5! Families are welcome but we do need to know who's coming so email Gary Payne using: gary@gillpayne.com to let me know if you want to come and support us.

Sincerest thanks to Don from Simulation Solution Inc. in America, we met Don for a short time last year and he heard what we were doing, said something about 'mental faculties being short' or words to that effect, and he has kindly donated £100 to our cause - thanks Don.

Don't forget, you can also support this cause after the event by buying tickets to the Marie Curie Ball at The White Heather, Caenby Corner, Hemswell at the end of September. Guests include Edwina Currie, an avid Marie Curie supporter. Email me for more info and I will pass on your information to the powers that be.

17th May 2006

Okay, so Gill and I have now both done a couple of bigger training cycle rides, we are from time to time, cycling into work (26.4km/16.5m) - just got to pluck up the courage to do the return journey! Ah well, plenty of vaseline and other creams should do it, must go and buy a gel saddle...

My foot is holding up well, for those who don't know about me, I have broken my neck twice, had a back injury some years ago and in 1999, had my right foot partially severed - yep, my right ankle is the sorest joint when I get off the bike.

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Gill and I are doing this bicycle ride from Vilnius to Warsaw to raise funds for one of our favourite charities. Marie Curie supported my Uncle a few years ago through his final days, allowing him to see out his mortal coil at home and to provide support to his brother and family through his last hours. I guess many visitors to this site will have similar stories.

We have already had sponsorship provided outside this fundraising website and want to achieve at least a minimum of £3,600. Your generousity will be warmly appreciated and anything you choose to give will be gratefully received.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Marie Curie Cancer Care will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

If you, like us, feel that this is a very worthy cause, then please sponsor us now!

What a fundraising start! Many thanks to Forrester Boyd Chartered Accountants for the £300 'kick-off' donation to this worthy cause and Ken and his team at IT@Spectrum Copiers for their £200.

Likewise, to all those who have so far sponsored offline too, including: Angela Greenfield; John Housley; David Tecter; Paul Birbeck; Bob Guest; Pam Todd; Jonathon Ellis; Andrea Howard; Carol Thomsett; Diane Guest; Liz Hammond; Glen's Newsagents and others, and all those who have donated online - thank you so much - every bit helps!

Thanks to Glen's Newsagents as they placed a flyer in every newspaper that left their shop and we have had a number of people, come in to our offices from within the village to give us their support and donations. A very particular thanks to these people as they gave all they could afford and took the time and trouble to walk in to see us. Thanks Dick, Patricia and William.

Thanks to all the individual messages of support received via email and phone call. We will be having a garden party in July, so if you want to come, let me know via our company web site contact form: www.gillpayne.com/contact.php

Anyway, many thanks for all your support.

Gary and Gill Payne

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If you think you are beaten you are; If you think you dare not you don’t
If you’d like to win, but think you can’t; It's almost a cinch you won’t
If you think you’ll lose you’re lost; For in this world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will; It's all in the state of mind
If you think you’re outclassed you are; You've got to think high to rise
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before; You can ever win a prize
Life’s battles don’t always go; To the stronger or faster man
But sooner or later the man who wins; Is the one who thinks he can

(Walt Wintle)