Campaign by 
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*UPDATE 05/05/21*
Thanks to everyones amazing generosity Ian and I are on track to reach £3,000 for Headway. If you havent had the chance to sponsor us then please do!
We were lucky with the weather and managed to complete the ride. Just over one hundred miles and endless climbing (two Ventouxs or three Ben Neviss in British currency) to reach just under 4,000 metres and meeting our Captain Tom targets. This involved a high level of repetition and a number of hills that will not feature on my bucket list.
We had incredible support on the long and challenging day - thanks so much to those who cheered us on in person. Massive thanks to Martin Smith for all the company and support on the ride itself. Ian Bridgwood is quite simply the best riding companion I could ask for and he brought me home safely (again).
A big shout out to Cafe Ventoux for hosting the event and limitless cake and coffee , along with Sam Watkins from uphilldowndale for the organisation and unflagging enthusiasm.
Final thank you to you for your ongoing support and helping Headway with the vital work they do.
Reg
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It is some 5 years since Ian Bridgwood and myself tackled the Gran Fondo at Ventoux with friends. It seems a lifetime ago and we were much much closer to last place than a podium position.
We have decided to replicate the ride on Saturday 1st May starting from Cafe Ventoux in (Tugby) and riding 100 miles whilst climbing the height of Ventoux itself. This also allows us to be part of the #CaptainTom100 challenge which is taking place across the weekend.
Those five years have not made either of us fitter or stronger.
The hills are steeper - it will definitely be a challenge.
Together we are raising money for a small local charity - Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Headway. It performs a vital role in supporting those affected by a head injury and have recently successfully been providing newly developed digital services, running 10 sessions a week at their #DigitalDayCentre during the pandemic.
In March we were featured on a special BBC East Midlands news feature which highlighted how a year in lockdown has affected all of us, but even more so for the brain injury survivors we support. The clip is a good reflection of the work that we do and I know that we will be thinking of Sash when we are struggling.
I have been a trustee for over 10 years and know the importance of monies, donations, support and corporate partners in keeping this charity alive. It has been going for over 30 years and as a vice chair it is partly my responsibility to keep it going for many more.
As many of you will be aware I had an all too personal health experience earlier in the year which resulted in a seizure which is still is under review and hopefully controlled by medication.
Ian knows that (even before my health dramatics) I cannot be left safely alone at the best of times, yet alone on a bike. His challenge in many ways is the greater one of getting us both round safely.
If you can support us in any way please do so and don't forget to claim gift aid if eligible.
Do share with anyone you know who may also wish to support us!
If you want to find out more about LLR Headway, or want to support/like it anyway then head to https://www.headwayleicester.org.uk/brain-injury/
Massive thanks in advance,
Ian & Reg.