Story
You have it in you to help save babies lives!!
I aim to raise at least £2000 (Approximately US $3900) for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SaNDS) in memory of my baby daughter, Grace, who was born on the 28th of February 1999, and died 7 days later on the 7th of March. She was born at 24 weeks, and died from the combination of a punctured lung and a brain haemorrhage. The money raised will go towards baby lifesaving equipment and research. I also want to raise awareness of the fact that bereaved fathers are often left out of the grief process, even by kith and kin!
Donations can be made from outwith the UK, check with your credit card provider for details. Donations must be made in Sterling. In US $, the exchange rate is approximately $1.98 to the £1 (correct at August the 26th, 2007)
I cycled 190.8 miles from my home town in Irvine, Ayrshire to Morecambe in Lancashire, in two days, the overnight stopover point being Carlisle, which was almost literally 115 miles from here. The route was from here in Irvine to Kilmarnock, down the A76 to Dumfries, the A75 to the border, through Longtown and into Carlisle. The A's 75 and 76 are now considered Scotland's most dangerous roads, due to the high volume of traffic. 'A' roads are like American highways, but only up to two lanes in each direction, used by all sorts of traffic, and at times, a lot of it. The speed limit is 60 mph, but some like to 'try harder'. The roads are not dangerous, they don't harm anyone, it's the people that use them that can be 'dangerous'.
I have had about 40,000 miles under my tyres so far in my life, being careful on the road is a passion. I managed a couple of hours on a bike in Lompoc, California, without any problems, it just took a bit of time getting used to being on 'the wrong side of the road'. 
The entire route was mainly one lane in each direction for it's whole length. I was very visible.
The following day it was the the A6 south through the Lake District including Penrith, Shap (one of the highest road points in the UK) Kendal and joining the Coastal Road at Carnforth (they filmed 'Brief Encounter there at it's station) then into Morecambe, and finished at Al's Bar, 231 Marine Road Central, opposite Eric Morecambe's statue. The route for most of this part was busy, but is also 'Beatrix Potter / William Wordsworth territory'. Very scenic, very hilly too! I added 7 miles to the journey to accomodate a less hillier route, and take in my favourite part of the train journey from Carlise to Lancaster, The Lune Gorge.
The reason for choosing Morecambe is that it was my home for 5 years (1992 - '97) and in that time I also lost two sons to late miscarriages. I still visit the town on a regular basis. The picture on this page was taken by a journalist who helped promote this cause, in Morecambe on August the 11th this year.
I did the run on Saturday, September the 8th and Sunday the 9th, leaving here at about 7.12 am. I aimed to do the journey in less than 36 hours, which is why I dubbed it 'The Race For Grace'. I did the 190.8 miles in 35 1/2!
Emma and Zena at Al's put a lot of effort into organising a fun night at Al's. I can't thank them enough.
The local SaNDs group to me is based at Crosshouse Hospital, near Kilmarnock. Visit www.ayrshiresands.co.uk for details of meetings.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: SANDS will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.
My contacts at SaNDS are: Emma Hoole and Maria Smith, SaNDS Fundraising and Events, 4a Kings Parade, King Street, Stanford le Hope, Essex SS17 0HR. Telephone 08456 520 448 quote 'Andrew's Cycle Run 2007'.
August 26th: After cybernudging a journalist or two, I made it online with the Morecambe Citizen ( http://www.thelancasterandmorecambecitizen.co.uk/search/display.var.1641593.0.destination_morecambe.php)and the Morecambe Guardian (http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/lancaster-news/Father39s-cycle-ride-in-loving.3150572.jp) My employer has agreed to my request of a 'fun day' on the 7th of September, fancy dress, raffles etc. My brother, Kenneth, who works for North Ayrshire Council has raised about £110 so far, with more to come.
August 29th, I was interviewed live on air by BBC Radio Lancashire, I'll be interviewed again on Monday the 10th. www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire It stays as 'listen again' for 24 hours (Tony Livesy). I was on the breakfast show at 7.25 am! I have a w.m.a recording to keep.
September 1st, Someone I used to care for, in a work sense as well as a friend, David Foster, died on August the 6th aged 38. I would also like to dedicate to this run to his memory. My Irvine Times picture and the fact he knew I was doing this was a pride and joy to him. He had spina bifida and diabetes, but lived life to the full. More so than some of the able bodied around him. He was 'the total personification of absolute inspiration', he still is! His family have kindly donated £100!
September 6th: I will be on BBC Radio Lancashire on Monday the 10th at 8.20 a.m, 'live' from Eric Morecambe's statue on Marine Road Central. They wanted me an hour earlier, but I asked to make it later to allow my alcohol content to 'disperse' a bit more. Same instructions again for listening online as put on August the 29th's entry. My employer has decided to make a donation, not sure how much for, rather than have a 'fun day'! Maybe next time.... It's also 12 years today since I lost my first son, Jackie, emotions are very mixed. I'm down at the thought of what happened, yet hyper at the thought that in 48 hours after typing this, I should be somewhere between Kirkconnel and Dumfries. Almost half way from Irvine to Carlisle in fact.
September 7th: 11 years since Tom, 12 years and 1 day since Jackie. Tomorrow it's Grace's turn, although her brothers are partly behind this, through the dates especially. My work raised £175 through a raffle, I collected about £30, my CEO will make a donation, not sure how much. Right now I don't know where my target is sitting. I took my 42 year old teddy bear Jeremy to work, he will be my 'passenger'. He generated a bit of interest!
This is my last entry before I set off. I'll be a bit busy in the morning. My 'bird' is ready to fly. I'll be on 07856 635 487 from this point forward ('til Tuesday at 9.10pm) .
Heres a hopin' all goes well.
My sincerest thanks to those who have donated so far ( you can still until a month after the 'event', just quote 'Andrew's Cycle Run 2007') and those who have been there for me through the years, and will continue to be. Special kudos to Maria Smith and Emma Hoole at Sands 'HQ' for keeping my faith in this alive when I thought it was going to fail.
'It's been a long road, getting from there to here!' (Faith of the heart' Diane Warren)
Thank you, take care, and I promise not to fall off.
Tuesday September 11th. Got home at 9.10 pm, very sore, but very happy! It was strange seeing a lot of the route I did by bike whilst on the trains home! I was interviewed again by BBC Radio Lancashire the day after the run finished, I'll have a copy to keep soon too! I also last week had another article in the Visitor http://www.thevisitor.co.uk/morecambe-news/Father-to-raise-money-for.3189139.jp There is a grey box in the article, not sure what's supposed to be there, but as much as it went in the paper on the 5th, it went online on the 10th! Thank you to Maria Smith at 'Sands' for finding it.
Monday 17th of September. ScotRail staff at Fort William railway station sent a cheque to Sands, after I 'nudged' their employer about breaking their passengers charter, twice! They failed to respond in the allocated time from their auto reply. Much gratitude to them. I mention this because my multi-national mass employer gave half as much. Oh well. At least I can thank the former prime minister of the UK, Sir John Major for something, as his government helped introduce 'charters'. Much kudos, Sir John.
Thanks again to all those who supported me, and still are there. Donations can be made until October the 9th, 2007.
Yours, very sincerely
Andrew Gordon
andrewirvine2311@aol.com wonderdragon2@yahoo.co.uk