We are doing a team, sponsored cycle to help the people of Beirut. 

"Having already contributed to the Red Cross Beirut Emergency appeal, my friends and I would like to do more to help raise funds as not only have people lost loved ones, have life changing injuries, lost their homes, livelihood and city, hospitals are damaged and overwhelmed with many causalities being treated in the street.

We are raising additional funds for the Lebanese Red Cross via the British Red Cross and in return we will be cycling 37 miles around Glasgow. The route shows the boundary of the blast, had it happened in our city of Glasgow. We hope that this route demonstrates and "brings home" the scale of the damage.

This will be a challenge we are willing to accept as some of us have family, friends and care for the people of Lebanon who urgently need help right now. 

We are a small group of friends trying to make a big difference and it cannot be done without your help.

We know that a lot of people are facing very hard times just now in their own lives due to Covid-19, which Lebanon is also suffering from, and so appreciate any money that you are able to donate.

 If you are unable to contribute a donation, please just keep the people of Beirut in your thoughts. "

- Tina, Nicola, Carla, Katie, Amanda, Hannah, Ryan, San and Susannah. 

The British Red Cross adds: "On August 4, an enormous explosion obliterated the port of Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon. The devastation to the city and to the people cannot be understated. The eastern part of Beiruts port has been totally destroyed, and buildings across the city have been severely damaged. This is a scary situation. Hospitals have been heavily damaged, and they are overwhelmed with the number of people now needing medical help unable to treat everyone. Some have had to be treated in the streets and many sent to hospitals outside Beirut. The British Red Cross is working closely with the Lebanese Red Cross who have been responding to the crisis. The immediate focus is on saving lives."

*17th August UPDATE: This is amazing! We weren't sure how generous people could be but you've hit the target in just TWO days! Hundreds of pounds (£350 to be exact plus all of our team's personal donations) going to help innocent people affected by a sudden tragedy. Thank you so much to every who has donated.Can we make it to £500?? Every donation really is appreciated.

*4th Sept UPDATE: one month until the cycle. Over the moon to see that we've reached MORE than £1,000 in donations. Small actions and donations all really do add up. Thanks again to everyone who has been able to donate. 

*4th October UPDATE: 

This is the last update. 

🚴 We completed the cycle on Sunday. Every single person in the team did at least the target of 38 miles / 61km. Some of the team didn't own a bike when they agreed to do this - this is a massive personal achievement. We had blood, sweat and tears on the day. 🚴

🇱🇧 The motivation came from the purpose of the cycle. 2 months before the cycle, Beirut suffered an explosion.

What are you doing this moment while you're reading this? Sitting on your couch? Drinking a cup of tea? TV on in the background? Emails open on your laptop? A normal day, a normal life. Imagine an explosion ripped through your city right now. No, in fact, don't. It's horrific. You wouldn't know what happened, if your family and friends were okay, what would happen next... you could lose your life, family, friends, the roof over your head, that box of memories you keep safe, all of your official documents... everything you own, your livelihood... everything. Insurance companies will fold under the weight of the claims and refuse to pay out. ✖️

That happened in the Beirut. In peacetime. Without warning. During a global pandemic.

🛑 The Lebanese Red Cross and the British Red Cross were on the scene: "On August 4, an enormous explosion obliterated the port of Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon. The devastation to the city and to the people cannot be understated. The eastern part of Beiruts port has been totally destroyed, and buildings across the city have been severely damaged. This is a scary situation. Hospitals have been heavily damaged, and they are overwhelmed with the number of people now needing medical help  unable to treat everyone. Some have had to be treated in the streets and many sent to hospitals outside Beirut. The British Red Cross is working closely with the Lebanese Red Cross who have been responding to the crisis. The immediate focus is on saving lives."

📺 You probably saw it on the news. It was 2 months ago. Have you thought about it since? The people in Beirut have, their friends and family all over the world have and the Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies have.

🌏 It's sometimes so difficult to be truly empathic when we are bombarded with tragedy and crises nowadays. Action relieves anxiety. There is good in the world, a lot of it. Your actions count. Your donations meant that we have already sent ❗ more than £4,000 including gift aid ❗ to help. Everyone on the team also made personal one off and/or recurring donations.

We received so much kindness - over 100 people have donated, we had t shirts, badges, bike repairs and a bike donated. t-shirtcat.com Alexandra Park Bike Hub Philip Lang Cycles

✨ THANK YOU ✨