Raised: 83%
Target: £5,000.00
Raised so far: £4,155.00
Donate now

My story

 
Thanks for visiting my fundraising page. If you have already read my message, please just click the sponsor us now link above.

This year I plan to under take my most difficult physical and mental sporting challenge of my life to date.
 
The Grand Raid CristAlp is the World's hardest one day mountain bike race. Starting in Verbier, Switzerland, it covers a 121 gruling kilometres, all off road on mountain tracks. With over 5500M of climbing (that is 5 and a half times up and down Mt Snowdon!) It passes remote mountain regions and individual climbs are as long as 22KM. In fact one climb finishes with 3KM of bike carrying for the final section of loose and steep rocks.
 
Descents are very technical, often on narrow footpaths thousands of metres high and are as demanding physically as the climbs.
 
The race is so difficult and dangerous that you have to prove your personal ability and fitness as well as your bikes mechanics. 
 
In order to prepare for this huge challenge I have been training for more than 8 hours a week since November last year. I have to admit that training over the winter has been hard in terms of motivation.  However, the fact that each year many people drop out, get injured and some even die due to lack of preparation keeps me motivated.
 
My motivation is also drawn from my desire to help those less fortunate, especially as charities now seem to be second to the personal effects of the "crisis"
 
In order to help me reach my goal I am using a cycling coach and a structured program which is now reaching it's final stages of intensity. With work and family comitments my motivation has been really tested.
 
My aim is to raise £5K for Temi. Temi is a community for less priviIeged people and in particular children. The community is based in Georgia (the one near Russia) and provides help, support and a family environment.  Can you imagine life as a child in a place like Georgia without a family? As a Father of two children, a minx of a 2 year girl and a manic 4 year old boy, I cannot imagine what life would be like for them without a loving family.  Life is often about opportunity, my son has the opportunity to do fun things like the mini grand raid, other kids dont even have 3 meals a day.  Temi, provides opportunity, love and support.  You can read more at  www.temi-community.com
 
I have chosen Temi as a result of meeting an inspirational man called Martin Pope who acts as Chairman for Temi. Martin's passion and enthusiasm for helping others really inspired me to do more.  Having met Martin I know that every penny raised will be spent carefully and with maximum effect.
 
Your help is needed to help me reach my target of £5K.  All my preparation costs and training costs will be paid by me personally, not via my chosen charity.
 
Please help by sponsoring me now. Any donation, small or large makes a difference.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: ChildAid will pass all funds raised here directly through to Temi.  If you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

a bit late! hope you had a great day ! Donation by rebecca pearse 05/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Well Done! Donation by Andrea Bailey 01/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Congratulations Donation by Rob Kelly 01/09/09  

£50.00

Great effort!! Donation by Rob Perry 01/09/09  

£50.00

Look forward to hearing about it Donation by Paul Young 24/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

The weather looks like holding up for you... hurrah! Now you just need to KEEP GOING... well done! Donation by Ruth Puhr 22/08/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good luck fella! Donation by Jim Hughes 21/08/09  

£35.00 + £9.87 Gift Aid

Allez Matt. Merde! (In the best Valaisan traditon, of course!) Donation by "Ant" 21/08/09  

£25.00

Blimey Charlie! You are sure to have an incredible day. Best of luck. Donation by Jackie and Mike 21/08/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Donation by Eddie Stobart Ltd 21/08/09  

£50.00

All the very best, Matt! Donation by Eyeful Presentations Ltd 21/08/09  

£50.00

Donation by hugo tewson 21/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Ouch! ... sound like that gona hurt the next day - good luck. Donation by Mark Keegan 21/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hopefully see you in the mountains this winter. Enjoy the race. Donation by Nick Jacques 21/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go Matt! Steady Eddy is the order of the day. No racing, the event is about you and the bike and nothing or nobody else. Donation by Stefan Dobrowolski 21/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck - I should be good at least on part of this event as I people say I have been going down hill for ages! Donation by David Carmichael 21/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Buddy! I'm sure you'll enjoy it you nutter Donation by Matthew Pickard 21/08/09  

£40.00

Best of luck Matt. Look forward to hearing about your success over a pint Donation by jon chapman 21/08/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Best of luck, hope it goes well. Helen & Richard Donation by Helen Brock 21/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

good luck Donation by neil martin 21/08/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

We will all be thinking of you - hope it goes magically. Just keep your cool and take care of yourself! Donation by Vicky, Jac, Max and Elise 18/08/09  

£20.00

All the veyr best mate-good luck-Ash from a wet Manchester Donation by Ashley Latter 18/08/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Best of luck Matt, really hope it goes well and take lots of care. Donation by Holly 18/08/09  

£20.00

Good luck Matthew. I hope it goes well. Donation by Roy Kelly 18/08/09  

£100.00

Donation by Martin Cross 18/08/09  

£100.00

Good Luck Matthew but we doubt you will need it, just be careful!+- Donation by Mum & Dad 17/08/09  

£250.00 + £70.51 Gift Aid

Donation by martin elling 17/08/09  

£50.00

Good Luck Matthew. Donation by Simon Banks 17/08/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Go Matt go. Give it your all as we know you will. Please take care. Donation by Kevin, Verity and Aidan 16/08/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck mate. Remember to pace yourself!! Donation by matthew baldwin 11/08/09  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £4,155.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £586.67

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