Raised: 27%
Target: £50,000.00
Raised so far: £13,261.00
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My story

 

Mad MAG Cycle Ride...Vietnam and Cambodia (26th Feb  - 7th March, 2010)

Have been to briefing - up to 9 friends now participating - Next training ride 21/22nd Nov - WE NEED YOUR HELP

Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.

Nine friends and colleagues, united in a common mad dream, cycle 470km in South-East Asia in 2010.  With our weight in stone, and our age in years, outstripping our IQ - we will need all the help we can get.

It is now getting real, we only have a few months left, so are stepping up our training, or at least the chat about it.

Here are some thoughts from the team members:

Steve Riley OBE: "Prior to  January 2006 I used to subscribe to Mr Wilde's Words, "To regain my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early , or become respectable " then my mother said told me she thought I was going to " seed ". Since then I have embarked on a fantastic fitness regime involving buying and using running shoes, buying and using a bike, using my gym membership, and being seen out of the house in lycra. Under Mrs Riley's Rules this still limited to the hours of darkness . And most worrying like all converts telling people how much better I feel. In order to keep me attached to this new regime but more importantly to support this excellent cause, please sponsor us as generously as you have done in the past .

Dave West: "...let's cycle from Vietnam to Cambodia..."  says Steve; "...you know you want to...it'll be a laugh..."  Given that we'll be cycling 450km in 30 degrees heat and high humidity, on the vietnamese equivalent of a Raleigh Shopper, it is clear to me that Steve and I laugh at different things.  As you can see from the photo, my fitness regime has yet to start in earnest (...or indeed, at all), but if anything can spur me into exercise it's the thought of not being able to keep up with these other reprobates.  I am haunted by the image of my Lycra-clad colleagues forever just ahead of me...filling my vision...blotting out the countryside... 

It's a great cause.  Please help us to reach our sponsorship goal.
 
Allan Fairley: Vietnam to Cambodia…checked it on the map… found Whitley Bay and went a bit to the right …they’re right next door to each other and it looks like it’s all down hill, so that shouldn’t be too difficult then….probably be able to free wheel all the way and get there in time for the pubs opening!!  If I just keep telling myself that, I’m sure it will all be OK…!

This is one of those all-to-rare occasions where we get the chance to make a real difference to others less fortunate.  Please help by donating whatever you can and helping us reach our target.  Thank-you!

Mark Larsen:  "In the last seventeen years I have gained 6 stone, 4 kids, 2 mortgages, and an extra chin (or two.)  When asked what Daddy did for a living, my youngest daughter (Grace - aged 3) replied "Colouring in"!  In order to convince myself and my family that there is more to life than work, and more to exercise than machines, I have signed up for this semi-suicidal trip.  My only comfort is that my colleagues look equally uncomfortable in flourescent cycling equipment as I do.  Please support us, as I fear our bodies will not"

Linden Hutchinson:  Linden is sadly too young, and too athletic to fit the image of his more amply upholstered colleagues.  But with his penchance for art-house photography Linden is hoping to capture those award-winning images as the relative humidity tops 90% and the thermometer is tipping 35 Celsius.  Smoking!

Helen Chapman:  Having already been to Vietnam and floated down the Mekong Delta on a boat, I’m convinced that this is a really, completely bonkers idea. But if I can summon enough energy after the first day to raise my head and look around then the amazing countryside can’t fail to enthral. In short: I can’t wait!  (I’m also going to make sure that Linden doesn’t slack off like he did when we agreed to do a half-marathon together...).

Stewart Spears:  The Essex dynamo of the group, Stewart lowers the average age, and can be relied upon to seek help when the elder members need airlifting out of the jungle.

Denisa Winterova:  Having been lured onto the trip by the silver tongued Essex-boy, Denisa is still reeling from what she has agreed to do.  She will have the chance to see the quality of cycling she has joined in a forthcoming training ride on the Fylde coast.  Denisa will need to prepare...to be underwhelmed!

Matt Oakley: Hmmm – now let me see; 7 days sitting on a saddle covering 400km in 30 degree heat, 80% humidity and in the company of an Evertonian – seems like a great way to spend my time.  But actually bizarre as it seems might late call up to this squad is well timed, the group are a great bunch and more importantly the charity are fantastic – when you look at the material they really do make a difference.  However, not sure I was picked for my Princess Diana qualities, more to help bring the average age back up and make mark feel less bad about his training programme.  Please give generously.


Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: The Mines Advisory Group gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor us now!

Take in the culture and enjoy the ride. It's a great cause - good luck to you all. Donation by Ian Tillotson 21/11/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Bon sourage! Enjoy the ride! Rosa Donation by Rosa Maria Sanchez Panchuelo 20/11/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Peter Martin 20/11/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck gents. Should I buy shares in Vaseline? Donation by Andy Cook 18/11/09  

£50.00

I was impressed when I heard Larsen and Fairley were attempting this. I'm amazed now that I see the rest of the bunch! Best of luck to you all. Donation by Alison Billing (& Thomas) 18/11/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Best of luck! Donation by PB 18/11/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Don't forget your MAP Donation by Adrian 18/11/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Allan Fairley 17/11/09  

£200.00

Good luck guys 'n gals, it's for a great cause! Donation by Caroline Grubb 16/11/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

If you're as good at dodging mines as you were at dodging lectures, you'll have a safe ride. Donation by Omid 16/11/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Nick Burton 16/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

From the Students and Staff in UCL Chemistry Department Donation by Helen Chapman 15/11/09  

£200.00

Best of luck to you all, Donation by Donald Rushton 15/11/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck Donation by Bob 15/11/09  

Steve and team: Wishing you all the best of luck during training and the actual adventure. Donation by Soo Spector 13/11/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Matt, I won't draw any comparisons to Diana! All the v best, Donation by jon rust 13/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck all Donation by Adrian Pettifer 12/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Excellent cause - fantastic gig - look forward to the photos! Donation by Andy Hickman 12/11/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck from one of the Yanks on the other side of the Pond! Donation by David Steuer 11/11/09  

£150.00

you'll need an extra large puncture repair kit for those mines! Donation by d r 11/11/09  

£50.00

Good luck. Will expect to see some interesting pictures! Donation by Liv 11/11/09  

£300.00 + £84.62 Gift Aid

Donation by anonymous 11/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

I wish you all the very best of luck, you will need it! Donation by Margaret Wilkes 11/11/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck - I often find that refuelling with beer between strenuous exercise helps - sorry not with the fitness or anything it just helps! Donation by Chris Brown 11/11/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

this is great, and inspiring too - good luck! Donation by indra 11/11/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Matt - I wish you the very best of luck. For the donation, I do expect to see pictures of both you and Mark in Lycra... Donation by Alicia Robottom (nee Pickering) 11/11/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Booster Donation by anon 19/09/09  

chapeau! Donation by John Hirst 07/08/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Because we couldn't think of a better fathers day present! Good luck! Donation by The Riley Children 20/06/09  

£20.00

You wear lycra in the house??? Donation by Gastro scope creep 25/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £5,261.00
  Offline donations: £8,000.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £1,280.79

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