Well I did it!

Cycled 312km in three days and had the most wonderful experience!  Raised a fabulous amount of money for MAG and met some truly fantastic people to boot.

Thank you all for your donations!

xxxxx

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  I would like to thank all my sponsors so far!  I am aware that I have some anonymous sponsors and would just like to 'thank you' so so much for supporting and believing in me!!

I had a fantastic result with my 'bring and buy' cake sale. I can't thank all at Ashridge Business School enough for not only donating the most beautiful cakes but also for purchasing them.

The event made an incredible £165 - absolutely fantastic!

I am getting so close to my target now it feels achievable as does actually completing the challenge. I have upped my training and am now doing 12 - 14 miles every day with longer rides at the weekends. Together with a colleague Andrew who is also doing the challenge we managed a 32 mile ride last Thursday which for someone who a few months back was quite 'unfit' was an amazing achievment so I am feeling pretty confident.

 

Here is why I am doing it!

I was browsing the Observer magazine a couple of months ago and saw some promotional material for a WW1 Sponsored Cycle event from Somme to Flanders in aid of humanitarian land mine charity MAG (Mines Advisory Group). Reading the article I was fascinated to read about the work of MAG learning that they are a neutral and impartial humanitarian orgainisation clearing the remnants of conflict for the benefit of communities worldwide.  Every day 15 people are killed or maimed by a landmine explosion. By donating you will be helping MAG to continue lifesaving work in conflict affected countries across the world. MAG works in affected areas enabling recovery and assisting the development of local populations. They consult with communities and work to lessen the threat of death and injury while releasing reclaimed and safe land and other vital resources back to the population, helping countries to rebuild and develop their social and economic potential. For further information about the amazing work MAG does please visit www.maginternational.org.

I have always had an immense facsination and interest in anything related to World War 1, and in particular the poetry of that era....therefore to be able to journey through the beautiful Somme Valley amongst major WW1 battlefields and monuments remembering those who lost their lives in the war and raise money for such a worthy cause seemed too good an opportunity to let pass me by.

This is also an almighty challenge for me personally. I will be embarking on a very personal journey of my own in that this event will definitely push me way beyond my comfort zone. I made a decision last year that every year going forward should have an achievement that I could be proud of when looking back at the end of the year and I am very excited if not somewhat apprehensive by my 2010 challenge. 

I will be joining a team of fundraisers cycling 312km over a period of three days which for someone like me seems a daunting task as I am not an athlete by any means, however, I am thrilled at this early stage at the generosity and support that has been shown to me by my friends, family and work colleagues so far.  My employers - Ashridge Business School - have given me a personal training plan devised by the School's gym, 'The Lifestyle Centre' and the facilities to train regularly in order to improve my fitness and stamina as well as the loan of a bike and safety equipment for the event itself.

My goal is to raise in excess of £1,600 so would really appreciate any donations however large or small.  I am very determined to achieve this goal both in terms of fulfilling my sponship target as well as in a personal capacity so thank you for any support you can give.  Any amount is greatfully received and by donating online MAG will receive an extra 28% in Gift Aid as this is automatically added to donations made by UK taxpayers so your money stretches further.....

I will be keeping this page updated with all my news and progress on fundraising events/ideas and also on my progress regarding the training and preparation of the event so please do log on now and again to catch up on my news.

A huge thank you

Jane x

 

 

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