Raised so far: £8,240.90
Donate now

My story

 

"Cycle from London to Paris, you must be joking ! " That was Stuart's first reaction when Mary announced she was going to take up this challenge to raise money for Thames Hospicecare in memory of his daughter Helen. When his brother Mark heard the news, (recalling his cycling exploits as a teenager on his penny farthing) he felt compelled to join in the challenge and show up his older brother.

The French may be used to the thrills and spills of the Tour de France but are they really ready for these two lycra clad, finely honed cyclists flashing through their countryside. This could well trigger an EU ban on any repeat visits.

Mary and Mark are now in serious training for this four day event which sets off from Greenwich in London on September 9th.(Well, Mark now cycles to the pub)  Hopefully they will reach the Eifel Tower late afternoon on Saturday September 12th, saddlesore but elated that they have raised a huge sum for this worthwhile cause.

So thanks for visiting our web fund raising page. Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Thames Hospicecare 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.

So please sponsor us now!  We will keep this page up dated and let you know how we get on.

Wednesday August 12th

Well, its only four weeks to go now and the dynamic duo have seriously increased their training regime. Mark recently returned from two weeks altitude training on the Isle of Wight and he now cycles to the pub at lunchtime as well as evenings. Mary has taken to watching videos of the Tour de France and now eats regularly at Cafe Rouge as well as visiting the local French Markets at the weekends to sell onions from her bicycle.

Thank you for your support so far which is absolutely amazing. Every £15 raised funds one hour of specialist nursing care at the Hospice, so if you haven't sponsored us yet, we hope you will feel inspired to do so.

Wednesday September 9th

Day one completed and after some serious hills in the North Downs of Kent we arrived safely at Dover at 4 30pm in time for the 6 O'Clock ferry which was in fact late! This was not the end as we had to complete a few miles in France in the dark on the wrong side of the road to reach the hotel for the first night.  The money raised so far is amazing, so thanks to everyone for their sponsorship and messages of support.

Thursday September 10th

Day two completed by 4 30pm. Riding on the right is not too bad, but unfortunately Mary and a few others missed the hotel entrance and managed to complete a couple of miles of Friday's route before realising and turning back. Thank goodness for the orange direction arrows! Mixed reports on the food and apparently a few cyclists managed to escape the hotel and visit McDonalds to top up their calory intake. The support team are now off to Paris to prepare for Saturday's arrival party!

Saturday September 12th

3 30pm and we cycle around the five lanes of the Arc de Triomphe stopping all traffic before us. The French cannot believe their eyes, can there be two tour de France in one year. Down the Champs Elysees, across the Seine and along the riverbank we speed to the Eiffel Tower where it seems like a million people are awaiting our arrival. We have completed the challenge, have many stories to tell and have met so many likeminded people raising money for their own personal reasons. We had the biggest support team by far and we continued to celebrate well into the night, doing our very best for the French wine producing businesses.

Once again very many thanks to everyone for their generous support.

Mary and Mark

Well done both! Sorry this is late, we hope it tips the fund over the 8 grand! Keep peddlin' ('scuse pun!) Sue & Steve Donation by Sue and Steve @ Crabhay Stratton 25/10/09  

£27.00 + £7.62 Gift Aid

Hi Mark and Mary. Apologies for not doing this sooner. It must have been the thought of Mark in lycra!!!! Well done to both of you. Donation by The Mad Megsons of Torrington 21/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

When I was on my "holidays" in September some very nice people gave me some money for "my dad" and Mary's bike ride. Very proud of you both. Love Bennett Dibley of Kernow Donation by Bennett Dibley of Kernow 14/10/09  

£160.00 + £45.13 Gift Aid

Donation by James McGovan 09/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Not too sure about the lycra!! but well done on a fantastic acheivement. Donation by Andrew Seager 09/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Nice one Mark and the rest of your gang glad it all went ok. Donation by Lee Edwards 09/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Congratulations Donation by Mia Khoury (Friend of Evie:)) 01/10/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Well done!!! Donation by Toby Jones 21/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

sorry its a bit late - what an awesome achievement Mary - well done! you are a star... Helen would be so proud of you! Donation by Minnie & Rob 20/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Donation by Marjolein Johnston 20/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Well done - love Jan, Stan and Lottie xxx Donation by Stan Hinson 15/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !!! Glad to see & hear that you are both safe~Louise, Mark & Boys Donation by Louise Hare 14/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Mary, we knew you could do it. Love Mary & Oliver Martin xx Donation by Mary Martin 14/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Sivaprasad Sunil 14/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

You are an amazing 'Super woman' ! Donation by Caz 14/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

So very impressed - wishing you all the very best ! Donation by All at No.8 12/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Hope the sun shines and you have remembered the vaseline!!! Safe cycling. lots of love Kay, Nigel, Mitch and Bethany xxxxx Donation by Nigel Carpenter 10/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck, safe cycling and enjoy the ride! With best wishes, Roy, Lucy & all the family Donation by Roy Woolridge 08/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous 07/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Mary and Mark, you are both marvellous. Donation by David Goodman 07/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Jane Berry 07/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Our very best wishes to you both. Hope it all goes well, you are a brave lass Mary xx Donation by Angela Roberts 07/09/09  

£50.00

We will be praying for good weather and no head winds! We admire your determination to take part in such a worthy event in memory of Helen. Donation by Angela and Jon 06/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Best wishes and good luck from Colin and Maureen Donation by Maureen Baker 05/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go Super Granny!!!!!! Go as fast as you can because I can't wait to give you lots of hugs when you get back! :o) Donation by Evie 04/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

All the best Mary, keep pedalling hard and we'll see you at St Pancras on the 13th! Don't forget your puncture repair kit - Stuart!!!!!!! Donation by Gordie 04/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck Mary, enjoy the ride! Donation by Maria and Stewart Rodger 04/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck!! Donation by Roger & Margaret Cousins 04/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Mary--it's a wonderful thing that you are doing. All the very best Donation by Peter Francis 02/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Mary & Mark - I am awe of your efforts - So brave to attempt such a feat of endurance!!! Donation by Teresa Reynolds 02/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £3,447.00
  Offline donations: £4,793.90
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £719.80

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.