Hi, I'm Nicky Gardner and after retiring from policing I have been involved in Volunteering for Age Concern Petersfield and District, I drive the minibus for lunch club, going around to collect some of those unable to attend without transport assistance and taking them home again afterwards. Covid came along and the charity supported many local older residents by providing meals twice a week and delivering prescriptions. We also put together a weekly newsletter, which included interviews with some of the users and the volunteers. One question was "what do you miss most during lockdown?", the overwhelming response was face to face contact with people and that many felt quite lonely. This issue of loneliness affects many people locally and I decided to work with Age Concern Petersfield to create a project that follows on with the amazing work they already undertake enriching the lives of older people.

I am undertaking a "Dream Challenge" ride from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Angkor Wat in Cambodia cycling about 260 miles and it seemed an ideal opportunity to raise awareness and funds for the "Linking Up Against Loneliness" project. The project will run for a six-month trial and if successful will be taken on full-time by the Charity.

I have self funded my challenge, so all your money will go directly to support the project. It will pay for transport, a co-ordinator to link volunteers and those older people seeking social interactions plus tea and cake funds for those lovely meetings!