Raised: 128%
Target: £5,000.00
Raised so far: £6,382.87
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My story

 

In May 2009, 300 of us are setting off to ride the route of the Allies’ liberation of France in 1945 in aid of HELP FOR HEROES, a charity which provides support to our wounded servicemen and women – who deserve every support we can offer.  Within the group will be teams from our Allies of today, including wounded servicemen from America, Canada and France, as well as our own from Headley Court.

The ride will be a challenge. We will be riding some 350 miles over 5 days from Cherbourg, through the Normandy invasion beaches (Omaha, Pont du Hoc, Arromanches, Pegasus Bridge), then through the (not flat) countryside of France through Bayeux, Caen, Lisieux, Evreux ending up in Paris where we will ride up the Champs Elysse to lay a wreath at the Arc de Triomphe in a formal ceremony with various dignitaries.

All who know me well are aware of my normal “healthy lifestyle” – mostly revolving around a love of food, beer, wine and the odd cigarette or two! Exercise has not been on my agenda for far too many years, so having just had my 50th  birthday I have taken the decision to do something very worthwhile and at the same time to improve my fitness. Those who I have talked to about this ride have certainly been amused – and laughter is something I am getting used to! One thing is certain though, I am up for this challenge and I will be starting the ride with 2 legs, 2 arms and a pair of eyes - unlike a number of my fellow riders.

Please dig deep for a very worthy cause. 

http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/bob_br.html

I have started a blog to keep all who have kindly sponsored me up to date with progress:  http://nigelmurray.blogspot.com. It will be updated irregularly however during the ride I am hoping to update it with pictures and comments - subject to getting internet access in small hotels in small French towns - so please visit.

Update:  2 Feb.  Again, I am overwhelmed with your generous support and have again reached my revised target.  I am therefore going to increase the target to give me something to strive for. Best regards. Nigel (from NYC)
Update:  21 Jan.  I am overwhelmed at the tremendous support I have received - both monetary and in writing since telling everyone about the ride. Many thanks to all who have written and donated on Just Giving. Particularly touching has been the great concern that has been expressed regarding the state of my derrier - I am so happy that it is so well regarded and worth preserving! Having nearly reached my initial target, I have set a new target - something to aim for. Kind regards and many thanks to you all. Nigel

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Help for Heroes 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.

Better late than never: here's that extra tenner for showing us your pins! Well done Nigel Donation by Toni Herrell 24/09/09  

Congratulations from Torrevieja, Well Done Donation by Barbara Jackson 18/06/09  

Best wishes from the EDT Team! Donation by eDiscovery Tools 18/06/09  

Well done! Donation by Terry Dickinson 04/06/09  

Well done Nigel, very impressed Donation by Nick Evans 03/06/09  

Well done. I knew you could do it! Donation by Adam Page 03/06/09  

Nigel congratulations! Well done! Donation by Lisa & Dipak 03/06/09  

Way to go Nigel! Donation by Laura Kibbe 02/06/09  

Well done Nige, better late than never you know me!!! Donation by Marcus Mitchell 02/06/09  

did u make it? Donation by richard church 02/06/09  

Well done Nigel. Donation by Linda Fuller 02/06/09  

Well done Nigel, fantastic. Donation by Bree Galvin 02/06/09  

It is never easy. Just been reading our blog on day 5. Wow. I am so impressed. What an experienc Donation by Fiona Gordon 28/05/09  

Well done - go for it ! Donation by Garbo 26/05/09  

Go Nigel!!! Wishing you comfort all of the way! Donation by Laura Kelly 26/05/09  

Peddle away!! The beer's on me next time I see you! Donation by James Majendie 26/05/09  

Hope it goes well, enjoy! Donation by Kerry Day 23/05/09  

Bonne chance Nigel! Donation by Tom Alexander 22/05/09  

Keep your leggies going round Big Bruv. Good Luck and lol. Mandy Donation by Mandy Peter 22/05/09  

Bon Voyage! Donation by The Blocks 21/05/09  

Have fun, peddle hard and keep smiling! Donation by Lucy Harrison 21/05/09  

Best of luck Nigel - I just hope that you have your "smoking whilst cycling" technique sorted out! Donation by Mark Finney 19/05/09  

I have no doubt that you can do it, I just don't know how many weeks you will need to finish :-) GOOD LUCK NIGEL!!! Donation by Dave Mattera 18/05/09  

Very best of luck Nigel Donation by Richard Doye 18/05/09  

Good luck Nigel - hope the lycra holds up! Donation by Nunkie Al and Auntie Pam 17/05/09  

We will have the champagne on ice on your return Donation by Tony & Jill Mitchell 16/05/09  

That's my boy! I shall be with every mile of the way.My friends here in Spain wish you Good Luck. Donation by Barbara Jackson 16/05/09  

Good Luck Nigel! You can do it! Donation by Julie Brown 15/05/09  

Good cause Donation by Mike Grimsey 15/05/09  

Viv and Alan, The Irish Rover, Torrevieja wish you Good Luck from Spain Donation by Barbara Jackson 15/05/09  

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* Total raised online: £6,031.87
  Offline donations: £351.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £986.05

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