My story

Hello and thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

This is the first time I have ever done anything like this - there's nothing like throwing yourself in at the deep end, eh?! Over the course of four days in Sept 2012 I will be cycling the 300 miles from London to Paris hoping to raise £1400 for OCD-UK, the UK's leading charity for those affected by OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).

Often referred to as "the secret illness", OCD is ranked by the World Health Organisation as being one of the top ten most debilitating illnesses in the world.

My own battle with OCD has been lengthy, since I was 15 years old, and it has had a huge impact on my life, including being hospitalised and having to leave my university course unfinished because I became so unwell that my life was in danger. OCD-UK gave me the support, advice and friendship (in fact, I met my husband through OCD-UK!) that I can honestly say saved my life when I was a teenager. Back then I never dared hope that one day I would be working full-time, married and about to cycle 300 miles in four days!

I hid my OCD for years because I felt so ashamed of it and experienced such negative reactions to it; it is only now, 10 years later, that I have started to gain the confidence to be able to tell people that I suffer from this potentially life-destroying illness. I know that there are still so many people out there suffering in silence because OCD is still so misunderstood, and the work that OCD-UK does is absolutely invaluable in helping to raise awareness of this illnes.

This bike ride will be challenging for me in two ways - firstly the physical challenge of the distance involved; but secondly I still suffer from quite severe OCD and the idea of spending four days cycling, using communal washing facilities and staying in strange accommodation is one of the hardest things I can imagine doing and I know that my anxiety will be sky-high. But this is just something that I have to do; if the money raised helps to save just one life then it will be well worth the anxiety and sore muscles.

Please support my cycle ride by making a donation. It would mean so much to me and the charity. I am looking to raise £1400 as that will cover the costs of the trip and provide a huge donation to OCD-UK.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it's the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

My gallery 3

My Teams

My company

My charity

OCD-UK

OCD-UK

Charity Registration No. 1103210

OCD-UK is the leading national charity and an independent service-user led organisation working with and for children and adults affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Donations 43

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well done!

Donation by Howard Simpson on 24/09/12

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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Well done Jo and sorry we're a bit late! Jenny and Pete

Donation by Jennifer Kent on 13/09/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Well done!

Donation by Steve Lloyd on 11/09/12

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Good luck!

Donation by Brad Romans on 08/09/12

£5.00

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Great cause, great effort, love a bit of cycling fundraising, well done!

Donation by Zen from RAWK on 07/09/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Noooooooodles of luck, Jo - you can totally do this - can't wait to hear all about it. You truly are a star xx

Donation by "Dragonfruit" on 05/09/12

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Good luck Jo! I look forward to ur return (probably bruised & in discomfort) BUT with a smile on ur face knowing u achieved the goal u set out for! :)

Donation by Justin Bidder on 03/09/12

£40.00

+ £10.00 Gift Aid

Donation by Brendan Keegan on 31/08/12

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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Good luck! I know it's difficult, but I hope you enjoy the journey. I applaud your courage and determination. Peace and happiness

Donation by Anonymous on 30/08/12

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Good Luck Jo. What an inspiration !! Mummyoftwogirls x

Donation by claire walters on 19/08/12

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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Good luck jo, think its amazing what your doing!! GO YOU :)

Donation by Lucy Wright on 17/08/12

£25.00

+ £6.25 Gift Aid

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Good Luck, Jo! I admire your courage and determination.

Donation by Lydia on 11/08/12

£15.00

+ £3.75 Gift Aid

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Wishing you the best of luck!

Donation by Jackie Urwin on 06/08/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Good luck Jo!!

Donation by Jess Thomasson on 16/07/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Have fun!.....

Donation by Anonymous on 13/07/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Good luck Jo!

Donation by Jenny Davies on 11/07/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

I wish you the best of luck Jo! Bon courage & bon route! Love and best wishes Sue

Donation by Sue Billing on 09/07/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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:-)

Donation by beth elsbury on 25/06/12

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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Good Luck

Donation by Kerry Place (mrsphilthefish) on 20/06/12

£5.00

Donation by Anonymous on 20/06/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Good luck & best wishes on your trip!

Donation by Michael A @ RAWK Towers on 14/06/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Go for it Jo, no matter how far you get, you're far braver than me!

Donation by Port Gaverne Hotel Drinking Society on 14/06/12

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Good Luck!

Donation by Rococo on 13/06/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Good luck Jo. Fantastic achievement.

Donation by Sean on 12/06/12

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Go girl go....sometimes actions speak louder than words. Your action will raise so much awareness to OCD...you're a star. Love Sarah xx

Donation by Sarah Newton on 06/06/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$2,027.98
  • Offline donations$1,021.61
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$3,049.59
  • Gift Aid$457.44

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.