EUROCYCLE – Charity Cycling Challenge


Having participated in several charity cycle rides over the last 10 years or so, raising over £20,000 for Norwood, and previously for the British Heart Foundation, I have more recently taken to helping other charities to raise funds by organising similar cycling events, this being part of the aims of my international cycling tour company, CycleWild.                                                                                                                                                               

In that capacity, I was approached by my good friend, Philip Brodie, who has the ambition to cycle some 10,000 miles through all the capitals of the European Union and to raise £1m net for various charities over the next 4 years. I have helped Philip to develop this ambitious ‘EuroCycle’ Ride, full details of which can be found on his web site www.eurocycle.eu.com.

Philip’s enthusiasm for this project has been infectious and has encouraged me to accompany him, without vehicular support, on the first two legs of his marathon ‘EuroCycle’ Ride through the UK and Ireland – a distance of some 700 miles over 2 separate weeks in June and July this year.  So I thought I would take this opportunity to raise funds myself for a charity since these 2 week rides will be no mean feat since as I have the dubious pleasure of graduating into my 7th decade - ouch! - and more essentially, have done nothing quite as challenging for 6 years.

I have decided to raise funds for Diabetes UK. My reason for choosing this charity and asking for your support is that my eldest daughter, Helen, had a traumatic experience 3 years ago after being diagnosed with diabetes. She now lives a virtually normal lifestyle, thanks in part, to the constant improvements for diabetics from research by Diabetes UK. You can see more information on our family web site www.friendlyevents.co.uk

There are over 2 million people in the UK who have been diagnosed with diabetes and probably as many as three-quarters million more who are unaware of their condition. Diabetes UK is the charity which supports people with diabetes, their family, friends and carers. Its mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and work towards a future without diabetes. Diabetes UK is one of the largest funders of diabetes research in the UK investing £6m pa to develop better treatment, prevent and find a cure. You can find out more about the charity from the enclosed leaflet or by visiting www.diabetes.org.uk

I have set myself a fundraising target of £10,000 and all funds will go directly to Diabetes UK.  I hope you will consider supporting Diabetes UK through my efforts. Donations can be tax efficiently given through ‘Just Giving’ www.justgiving.com/jonathanfriend or by completing the slip below with a cheque /CAF cheque made out to Diabetes UK and sent to me at my new address 11 Lysander Way , Abbots Langley, Herts, WD5 0TN    

Thanking you in anticipation of your support.

Kind regards



Jonathan FriendThank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Diabetes UK 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.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.