I frequently travel to Geneva for work and every year I become increasingly conscious about my carbon footprint. For the past few years I've considered cycling there instead, as a personal challenge and to raise money for CSW. Two things have stopped me: time and ill-health. 

Call me crazy, but in this season of self-isolation and social distancing, the challenge now seems possible....all from the comfort of my kitchen (it has to be the kitchen, which is above a garage, or else my activity will upset the neighbours in the flat below...and they're already quite grumpy). 

So, while I'm cooped up in my little flat, I'm going to attempt to cycle the distance between two of CSW's key advocacy arenas: from the Palace of Westminster (UK Parliament) to the Palais des Nations (UN) in Geneva. This effort will be undertaken on a one-speed, tiddly orange exercise bike. Cassie, if you're reading this, it's being put to good use! 

Channel Tunnel aside, the distance is 584 miles. So my initial target is going to be £584.00. 

This will be no mean feat for me, as I haven't owned a real bicycle for about 11 years (it got sold when I set sail to live on a ship in S.E Asia in 2009 and I've never replaced it). I also have M.E, so will be needing to pace myself. A. LOT. With this in mind, I'm giving myself until 05 May (one month, starting tomorrow) to complete the challenge. Some days I will be able to cycle further than others.

My little orange exercise bike has a distance calculator on it and after some experimentation I've managed to set it in such a way that it will pick up the distance from wherever I last stopped...my watch can also record cycle rides so I will keep double records. 

To doubly reassure you that I'm actually cycling the distance and not just eating cake on the sofa, I'll also record mini-videos. You never know, I might even dress up and watch sound of music while cycling in an effort to keep it real.

Why am I doing this?  

I'm doing it because I share CSW's vision of a world where everyone has the right to practise their religion or belief freely and without fear. You can find out more about what they do here: csw.org.uk. 

Everyone in the world is hurting right now. It is hard enough in a developed democracy, where our advanced health care systems are under desperate pressure and our economies are collapsing - imagine what it is like if you are a discriminated or persecuted minority in a country or location with poor health care, little sanitation and an living in an atmosphere of hatred, intolerance and violence. 

Charities, including CSW have been hit hard during the Covid-19 pandemic. I want to do my part to ensure the vital work they do continues.