All the generous folk who sponsored me in 2013, I take my helmet off and bow down to you.  After the overwhelming amount of donations that flooded in from the massive fundraising campaign, I said I would not be badgering everyone relentlessly for any future sponsorship.  Having been asked back, and following heavy discussions with friends and family who have said “yes do it”, it is only because of their ongoing support and promise of pledges that I have agreed to go back to Vietnam for Round 2. This of course means pedalling another 1,000+ km over 10 days (with those dreaded “hills” looming again) for the little babies.  Re-visiting this monster is still going to be very tough both physically and mentally, though hopefully the EXTREME anxiousness and SHEER TERROR will be at a more manageable level this time round plus I might be able to sleep a bit more each night!!  A couple of quid or a fiver will keep me rolling towards target by November 2015.  The thought of having to go out and put in solid training rides in the cold winter months that are now on their way ….. do you feel my pain ?!?

It will be a very demanding ride (I’m remembering the heatwave in which some days were 50+ degrees, various forms of live obstacles to dodge on the road on a daily basis, one day having pork porridge for breakfast and of course my anti-malaria tablet dreams/sleep-talking.  So even though this will be the second time out some 2 ½ years later, it is not going to be a ride in the park so to speak. 

You will all agree that each newborn child has the promise of a life – of love, family and achievement. In Vietnam, many children never get the chance to live beyond their first day, and the promise is lost. This is where Newborns Vietnam comes in (a UK registered charity dedicated to reducing neonatal mortality).

Since our ride in 2013 we have reduced the rate of mortality, and in August 2014 the Class of 2013/14 comprising 27 nurses from the neonatal unit at Da Nang Hospital for Women & Children were awarded a certificate in neonatal nursing (the equivalent to Level 4 UK Further Education & Higher Education Qualification Framework).  PROGRESS and proof that your sponsorship is going exactly and directly to the cause.  This was the first time that a comprehensive international neonatal nurses training programme has been delivered in Vietnam.

Any pennies gratefully received. 

I will leave it here for now, any further information required please feel free to get in touch. 

Pippa