After all the planning and training, we're finally off! To follow our adventures see our blog: http://rideforewan.blogspot.com/

Thank you for visiting this fundraising page, which is raising money for a new ‘Forget Me Not Room’ at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford.

Our involvement in this worthwhile cause is sadly prompted by the stillbirth of our son, Ewan McClung who was born asleep on Sunday 23rd March 2008. Ewan looked perfect in every way and we were very pleased to have been able to spend some precious time with him. We are very grateful for the care we received at the Royal Surrey Hospital, as well as the support of our family and friends.

Whilst looking for a positive way to remember Ewan, Clare and I read that the Surrey branch of Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) are currently raising money for a new ‘Forget Me Not Room’, to replace the current room known as the ‘Alice Suite’ at the Royal Surrey. The Hospital would like to create a new suite with a larger bedroom area, a proper en-suite bathroom and a nurses room. They also hope to provide space for Dad and siblings.  The latest costings for this project are in the region of £40k. We feel it is important to have a dedicated room cocooned away from the noise of happier arrivals to provide grieving parents with a sanctuary. 

What do I aim to do for sponsorship?
As many of you will know I am a keen cyclist and any challenge would obviously need to be worthy of your hard earned money.  It didn’t take long to come up with the biggest cycling challenge the UK offers, Lands End to John o’Groats (LEJOG)……. all 950 miles of it over 12 days averaging approximately 80 miles per day. Training has been progressing well, the 32 miles round trip to work during this summers inclement weather being particularly useful practice.

The LEJOG challenge will start Saturday September 5th 2008 and a good friend James Clark has kindly offered to fly over from Toronto to undertake this challenge with me. We will be staying in B&B’s and with friends and family during the route, all funded by ourselves, so that all monies raised will go directly to Sands. Numerous friends and family have kindly offered to carry the odd bag or two and no doubt undertake their own challenge of consuming as many cream teas as the journey will allow. For a full route itinerary please see below.

Note
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to donate: Sands 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.  All monies donated will go to Surrey Sands in aid of the ‘Forget-Me-Not Room’.  The Gift Aid element will be retained by National Sands to support their work, which includes research into the causes of stillbirth.

Route & Itinerary
Day 1 Sat 6th Sept St. Neot  
Day 2 Sun 7th Sept Tiverton 
Day 3 Mon 8th Sept Bristol 
Day 4 Tue 9th Sept Ludlow 
Day 5 Wed 10th Sept Warrington
Day 6 Thu 11th Sept Kendal 
Day 7 Fri 12th Sept Dumfries
Day 8 Sat 13th Sept Prestwick
Day 9 Sun 14th Sept Inveraray
Day 10 Mon 15th Sept Fort William
Day 11 Tue 16th Sept Dornoch/Tain
Day 12 Wed 17th Sept John o'Groats