Those of you who follow Francis Wainaina will know that, as their latest cycling adventure, he and Elaine completed a tandem cycle ride from home, Mansfield, to Rome earlier this year. Sadly, having completed it and despite it being double locked, their tandem and all their equipment was stolen in Rome. They have just heard from the insurers that they will not pay out on the claim as the locks were not “gold standard”.

I am sure many of us have enjoyed following Francis and Elaine’s various tandem adventures, they had clocked up more than 7,000 miles on their much loved tandem. They are not able to fund a replacement tandem themselves as the cost of a similar bike sturdy enough to do the rides they do and the equipment that goes with it would be out of reach. Francis has said that they will revert to their old, non power assisted tandem while they work out what to do but I am hoping that if others feel the same way, we can raise a decent sum to help get them a new tandem which they will be able to enjoy for many more years. If you are able to, it would be lovely if you would donate to the fund.

For those that don’t know Francis and Elaine, Francis was assistant vicar at St Michael le Belfrey, York, before becoming vicar at St Andrew’s, Starbeck, from where he retired a few years ago as they are both in their seventies which makes their cycling exploits all the more amazing. Anything we can do to generate one of Francis’s amazing smiles accompanied by a “Bless you!” has to be worth it.