Yes I am really going to do this! I will be undertaking a 390km cycle ride from the Taj Mahal to Jaipur in India, 22nd November-2nd December 2007! We will be cycling around 6-7 hours a day, in high temperatures and over some rugged terrain.
As many of you know, this will be a huge challenge for me, I am very unfit and keep looking in the mirror and asking "how did this happen, why did I sign up for this??" I have only just started to ride my bike after about 20 years and the fitness training will be as much of a challenge for me, as the ride itself, my aim is to be fitter at 45 than I was at 25! But, I am very excited and looking forward to the challenge, very determined (some may say stubborn) to succeed and really make a difference.
I am incredibly blessed, as the women in my family are, with good health, including my 99 year old Nan, Phyllis, my Mum and my 2 wonderful daughters. This is my chance to celebrate this and do something positive for those who may not be as fortunate as we have been. Which is why I have chosen Prof. Robert Winston's charity, Women for Women, which builds knowledge and skills to keep all women and children as healthy as possible in the future.
As you see, I have set a target of raising £3000 but hope to exceed this, for the charity, another challenge! My family , friends and I will be arranging all sorts of fundraising events over the next year, but I would be so grateful for any donations or sponsorship you could make however small.
I will keep this page updated to let you know how it's all going.
January 2007. UPDATE
Well, the New year is here,and now the serious training must begin! Thanks to great support and generosity from my family and friends I am only about £500 short of my fundraising target, which is better than I had ever hoped for at this stage. Thank you so much for all the donations and support at the events I have held so far. There are still others planned, a Barn Dance in March and more events into the summer.
March 2007 Update
Well, the Barn dance held on 24th March went very well, everyone seemed to have a good time and the best thing of all was that I reached my fundraising target!
Setember 2007
Well, 8 weeks and 4 days to go, until I am on that plane to India, what a year its been:
* I am now fitter than I have ever been in my life, not sure if its fit enough, but I am going to give it a good go.
* I have a new partner, who I love dearly.. don't worry Doug is still my number one, I refer to my beloved bike, I never thought it possible!
* I have now got a new group of friends, I have met through doing the challenge from all over the country, the most inspiring, kind, wonderful ladies, I can't wait to cross that finishing line in Jaipur with them all!
* Your kindness & generosity in helping me to raise the funds I pledged all those months ago, has been so humbling, thank you so much!
So a massive thank you to everyone who has helped me achieve all this, but please do still donate, the more money raised, the more funding is available for the charity to use to further advance the health of women and babies across the world.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Women for Women 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.
Many, many thanks for your support.
