Welcome and thanks for visiting our fundraising page.

We are going to be cycling a "racing*" washing machine 160 miles around Wiltshire and Swindon for two weeks in May in aid of Refurbiz.  Refurbiz helps many people in Wiltshire and we want to support it and to tell many more people about it so they can help too. www.refurbiz.org 

Refurbiz collects the washing machines, fridges and electric cookers that are unwanted in the county, check them over, repair them, clean them, give them a warantee and sell them at low cost to those in need.  Without Refurbiz there would be many usable machines going to waste, people in need would either go without vital services or get into expensive debt, and people who find it hard to get employment would not have the start that Refurbiz has given them.  A cooker, fridge or washing machine can mean the difference of keeping your children with you, being able to move out of a hostel, or reducing time and money spent going to the laundrette.  Refurbiz is good for the environment, people and the economy.

However, Refurbiz needs help to continue.  It takes skilled people, good facilities and large vans to make all this good work happen, so we decided to tell people about what Refurbiz does and raise some money by taking a washing machine around Wiltshire - by bike!  Well, it seemed like an excellent idea at the time.....

It still is an excellent idea and we have had great support - thanks to everyone who has helped, donated and worked so hard.  I will be updating this every day as far as possible, so please return to see our total growing a nd the latest news.  Also please follow our photos on Flickr at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/liz_read/sets/72157615183236624/   There is a more elegant way of linking to this page, but it didn't work!

UPDATE Sunday 10th May 2009  We launched our cycle ride in Trowbridge on the 8th of May at County Hall with the help and support of Wiltshire Council, who have also pledged £500 in support of the project.  They have been great - www.wiltshire.gov.uk  We then cycled off to Bradford on Avon.  Since then things have been a bit of a blurr, with cyclists taking the washing machine in ten mile stints across the country on the Wiltshire cycleway.  On Saturday we went to the BREATHE event in Bradford on Avon, raising money with silly games and talking to people, followed by a brave cycle from Clare over hills and up river valleys to tea and cake in Westbury (including an awkward bit of bike maintenance on a hill.)

On Sunday Cam and Mark cycled from Westbury to Warminster, via a few unexpected route changes to a live radio interview with 3trfm.  Then Colin and Gordon saddled up to take us to Langford in the Wylye valley (via several pubs on fundraising and awareness raising missions) 

What stars they all were!!!

Update Monday 11th May 2009   Its my turn to cycle today - I am taking the Langford to Salisbury stint.  Better have another cuppa first I think!  See you later.  Liz.

later - Mike did lots of the cycling which was good - he really enjoyed it, even cycled through the Salisbury traffic for me, what a star!  Great day with lots of sun.

Update Tuesday 12th May 2009 Colin and I stood in the Salisbury Market place today and managed to raise the £16, many thanks to the staff at the Guild Hall for accomodating the bike and washing machine over night.  Also did two radio interviews and met a journalist from the Blackmore Vale magazine.  Media coverage has been great so far.  Lovely day if a bit windy.

Update Wednesday 13th May 2009 Mike and I are cycling from Salisbury to Pewsey today, its raining and a bit cold.  Should be a good route - through the Avon Valley and up over the downs.  Kind of looking forward to it.....

Update Friday 15th May 2009 Have had a good couple of days - a good cycle from Salisbury up the Avon Valley arriving safely in Pewsey.  Then we spent a happy day being filmed at the Pewsey Farmers Market and talking to people outside the Co-op - raising £46.01

Today I accompanied Hew on the ride to Malrborough through the Savernake Forest and standing in the High Street raising £7.60

Onward to Swindon tomorrow!!!

Update Tuesday 19th May 2009

Phew! what a weekend.  Well done to Rachel for her cycle to Swindon from Marlborough and thanks to Dave for accomodating the washing machine etc.  It certainly tested my puncture repair skills - five on one inner tube and its still up!! 

We got so thoroughly soaked and blown away at the Swindon Farmers Market that we decided against cycling that day, and having raised £5.50 we headed home to a hot bath and a soothing cuppa.  On Monday we intrepidly cycled into a strong headwind to get to Chippenham just as it started to really rain.

I am at Waste Not Want Not today meeting and greeting - they are our sister charity and mostly do furniture.  www.waste-not-want-not.org.uk

See you later

Liz

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated, it is brilliant.

Please do donate as much as you can afford.  Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Refurbiz 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.

Update - we are revving up for our few days on the bike now, booking events to attend and thinking of fundraising games and activities to keep the funds flowing!

*"racing" as in we have removed the concrete - but we are gonna pull it 160 miles!