Raised: 264%
Target: £500.00
Raised so far: £1,320.23
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My story

 
Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

We are aiming to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats - around 1,000 miles -  in  18 days, setting off on 9th July 2009.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Barristers' Benevolent Association 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. The BBA  is a really worthwhile cause that helps practitioners and their families in times of crisis.

So please sponsor me now!

4th July 2009 - Can't believe we are due to start this week. Feeling apprehensive but also excited about the prospect of getting under way.

They are off!
Day 1 - Lands End to Boscastle, stopped for clotted cream Tea, recorded 90 miles on first day!
Day 2 - Stopped for another clotted cream tea at Bude. Matthew read somewhere you can eat and drink as much as you like on this challenge. 
Day 3 - Reached Cheddar. Rained all day. Discovered my waterproofs not waterproof.
Day 4 - Made it over the Severn, across the Forest of Dean and to Ross on Wye
Day 5 - A more leisurely day along the beautiful River Wye to Tenbury Wells. Quote from local in 'The Vaults' in Tenbury who saw us drinking local farmhouse cider; "You're brave getting back on your bike after drinking that stuff"
Day 6 Tuesday 14th July - Travelled up through the Clee Hills, past Much Wenlock, Telford, Market Drayton and Whitchurch. Relieved to make it back home for the evening.
Day 7 We were joined by my brother Jon who is coming with us to John O Groats. Through the Cheshire countryside to Leigh and then past Blackburn to stay at Bashall Eaves.
Day 8 Beautiful scenery today as we passed through the Lancashire Forest of Bowland and on to Appleby in Westmorland
Day 9 A challenging day. Rain. RAIN. And then some more rain. And wind. Eventually made it to Brampton, without any accommodation booked. We were kindly offered the church hall by the vicar but  the excellent tourist information found us a great b and b at Newtown farm.
Day 10 More rain and mechanical failures drove us into Penrith to buy new gear cables. Travelled over the border to Peebles. Once again we arrived with no accommodation booked and were rescued by Venlaw Farm who took us in even though they were full. We have met such a lot of kindness on our trip
Day 11 Wonderful open scenery as we went on to Perth
Day 12 A really strenuous day as we went over the Cairngorms. We thought we were dong 95 miles but in the end did 107 miles and ended at 10.10pm - this time with accommodation booked thankfully. Ended in Grantown on Spey.
Day 13 Carried on though Inverness and to our friends David and Judith in Beauly who have made us very welcome with a great dinner, wine and then some competitive card playing. Still on track...
Day 14 More dramatic scenery as we pushed north eventually reaching The Crask Inn, north of Lairg. More great food and some fine malts.
Day 15 Around 88 miles on our final day as we reached to North Coast at Betty Hill, and then headed east past Thurso and the Castle of Mey to John O'Groats. We finally arrived just before 8pm. It has been a fabulous journey.

Epilogue

Looking back over the trip I have been struck by just how much beautiful and empty countryside we have in Britain.

We have also met with a considerable amount of generosity for which we are grateful; in particular at Tregatherall Farm, Boscastle, The Morwenna Cafe, Bude, Venlaw Farm, Peebles and at John O Groats Guest House.

Including offline donations, the amount raised for the BBA is over £1,200; thank you all very much indeed.


I am in awe...... Donation by Ginnette Fitzharris 03/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

The boy done good! Donation by Knighty 05/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Sorry about the lateness, but better late than never - well done mate! Donation by Joel Kendall 10/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done! and thanks for the card from sunny Dingwall. Donation by Donald 28/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Garry Tan 27/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

got bike riders buttocks yet? Donation by heather erwood 24/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good effort Matthew!! Donation by Matthew Corbett-Jones 23/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hope you're doing well and looking forward to the beer at the end as much as I did at Knoydart Donation by Huw Roberts 23/07/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Six legs belonging to three heroes! Donation by ALLAN BAYLISS 22/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Matthew, I hope it is going well - all the best Trefor Donation by Trefor Lloyd 13/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hmm? Suspect this may just be a cunning ruse to get everyone talking about your bum? Either way, completely brilliant. Good luck. Jayne & Pippo Donation by Jayne La Grua 11/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Matthew, even with your appetite, you'll look more like the sign post at the end! Good luck Donation by Jeremy, Suzanne, Harry and Danilo 11/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous 08/07/09  

£20.00

Donation by Anonymous 08/07/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

You must be mad ....... but good luck. Donation by Merfyn Hughes 08/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the very best matthew. We are all rooting for you Donation by owen, louise,tom, wil, sam and meg xxx 07/07/09  

£60.00 + £16.92 Gift Aid

Have fun - hope you have a well padded saddle! Donation by Cain, Veronica & the boys 07/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

yes ..... but what will you look like at the end Matthew?! Donation by Cathy O'Leary 07/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

I 've just done 1000 miles myself around the Scottish isles on the bike so I know the pain - only it took me 11 years. Good luck. Donation by Philip Hughes 07/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the very best of luck Matthew! Donation by Julie McNeill 07/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done! Good grief you are going to have a sore bum! Donation by Jamie and Fiona 06/07/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

For whingeing so much about the fee for a bail app... Good luck! Donation by Matthew Curtis 06/07/09  

£35.00 + £9.87 Gift Aid

"Whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad". Good luck! Donation by Paulinus Barnes 06/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck!! Donation by Anna & Edward Barnes 06/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck, hope it stays dry for you. You must pass a lot of pubs in a 1000 miles! Jon Donation by Jon Dunford 24/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Wishing you lots of luck! Donation by Sarah Badrawy 18/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Do we get a similar photo of you when you've finished?! Have a blast. Ed Donation by Ed Timpson 15/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Make sure you have plenty of chocolate breaks... Donation by Alex Bould 27/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hope all goes well, love Mum and Dad Donation by Clive and Marie 15/05/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Best of luck! Donation by Philip Clemo 01/05/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £805.00
  Offline donations: £515.23
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £221.41

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