5 July. We did it! With the prevailing wind of all your encouragement, Bill completed Le triple Ventoux and Matt, John and Pete pedalled to the summit as well. Keep the fundraising coming and visit http://www.webjam.com/bill_badham over the coming days for more info. But for some great photos follow this link: http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=avmjand.2000elg55&Uy=8890ul&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB

Thanks for all the support. Bill and all at the Maypole Centre.

28 June. Just a week to go before Bill's 50th birthday Triple Ventoux Challenge on Saturay 5 July, climbing the 4500 metres of its three ascents - or half the height of Everest. And the fundraising summit is in sight, thanks to people's great generosity. Please dig deep and sponsor us on line. The team of Matt, John, Pete, Jan, Jennie, Bill AND Ben the Bike, is all set. We'll send updates on the day and if you want to follow the action, see the pics, get occasional text updates, then go to http://www.webjam.com/bill_badham. Thanks again everyone. We're closing in!

26 May update. It has been an amazing start and we are over half way to the fundraising summit - just about when the pain will really start to kick in on the climbs. Training is going well with one massive 250 miles in a day testing the stamina and now heading for the Pyrenees to find my climbing legs! Then it's bring on the pasta! Thanks for all the wonderful support and good wishes.

Bill has been training in the Pyrenees this weekend 30 May.

At half term the Maypole group were working out in Le Cannock Chase, an amazing 7 mile technical mtb run, most of the guys peeled themselves off trees. Next few weeks we will be training on Le Rose Hill, a 10% climb on a circuit on Mont Lickey Hills, Birmingham. The lads have been frantically working out at the local council gym whilst Pete has been hitting max heart rate on 3 spinning classes a week. Bill has done a fantastic fundraising job and throughout June it's the Brummies turn to contribute to this outstanding project, dig deep, remember even £1 donated gives us £1.27p!

Don't let us down people!

Bill Badham has campaigned for the rights of children and young people for the last 25 years. He works with the Participation Team at The National Youth Agency.

It's Bill's 50th birthday this year; he is going to attempt something truly amazing; Le Triple Ventoux. He wants you to contribute something to a youth project in return

There is a challenge organized by a French bicycle club (actually, a brotherhood) next to Mount Ventoux, a massive 2000 metre mountain in Provence in France. They say, “It is normal for a bike rider to try to climb Mont Ventoux at least once in a lifetime, but you are crazy if you do it again.”

There are 3 different routes you can use to go to the top of Mont Ventoux.
If you can climb all the routes in one day thats what Bill is going to do on July 6 2008 (starting from Bedoin, Malaucene and Sault), between sunrise and sunset, you are declared “Nut of Mont Ventoux.” Putting all that in perspective, to accomplish this feat Bill will climb 4500 metres. That's over half the height of Everest - the descending is another story.

Bill is raising funds for Maypole Youth Centre. Pete and 3 young people, Ross, Matt and Jon will be cycling up one of the routes and descending with Bill on his final descent.

Bill is wanting to raise £1 a metre of climbing - that's £4500. The money raised will fund 45 young people from Druids Heath Estate over the next three years to take part in their Spring Adventure weekend which Matt, Ross and Jon will be organising.  Check out our youtube sites! oh yeah and with your speaker volume to high!

Why Maypole? Bill says "Well there are of course many great projects working with young people. It's just that for me, the Maypole Centre represents all that is most wonderful and inspiring about young people and all that is best in supporting young people achieve their full potential."

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Maypole Centre 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 us now! You can donate now in advance of the climb, which is preferable, or make a pledge and then make your donation once we complete.

Many thanks for your support.

Bill and all of the Maypole People             

www.maypolecentre.co.uk - 0121 464 6172