August - We did it!  Photographic evidence here...it was challenging, exhausting, but also exhilerating. Many many many thanks again for the amazing response in support of WDM. And for anyone who is trepidatious about such a challenge, don't hesitate to do it.  Perhaps for WDM?

Deborah. 28 August 2010.

End July. the final countdown.  Thank you especially goes to Maggie and Alan for the generous support in having their friends donate to the cause in honour of their 40th wedding anniversary!  They are clearly a very special couple.  

WDM had an amazing launch of our food campaign, with mass media coverage (see more about the campaign on www.wdm.org.uk) last week.  Unfortunately this has meant less time for training.  Having sorted out my knee problem, I tried out some new clip-on pedals last weekend and predictably toppled over right in front of my house.  But I won't give up. I am taking my bike, along with my family to Scotland in a couple of days for a holiday and lots of hilly cycling. I reckon I can withstand 60 miles now, so let's hope that with a bit of extra training (and supporters to encourge me) I'll be ready for the 90 mile introductory day on August 18th. Thanks again all!  

Mid July -- an up and a slump.....did a lovely 67 mile ride (over 100km) the other day with my cycling companion (Jon, the husband - also raising money for WDM), encouraged by WDM's great coverage in the Independent by Johann Hari, on our new food campaign (wdm.org.uk/food) -- stop betting on hunger. The article was tweeted by Stephen Fry, and also made it onto the Huffington post, and garnered lots of US attention too. But my knee gave me problems at the 50 mile mark, so I'm off to the physiotherapist tomorrow.  I'm pretty sure I can handle 90 miles on the flat now -- so I need my knee in good order, to make it up those hills, too. This is a good exercise in, well, knowing one's limits; pushing one's limits; and not giving up.  The donations keep me going! Thanks all....

Update on the training challenge (early June) - I've been riding about 15-20 miles 2x per week on the way to or from work via the wilds of hilly South London -- taking in the sights of Penge, Streatham, Crystal Palace, Catford (jealous?).  And I've done a couple of long-ish rides at the weekends -- though the luxury of sleeping in so far on a Saturday morning seem to outweight the drive to get out after a long week. I'm hoping that the weather change may do just the trick!  I can tell that the hills are getting easier, and my speed is getting faster. Perhaps after another month or two, the prospect of 8-9 hours in the saddle may actually be something to delight in!

More importantly, on the campaign front, WDM have been doing some great stuff over the past few weeks -- after an RBS onslaught during the week of their AGM, we were called into the offices of RBS Chair Sir Philip Hampton to make our case for them to get out of tar sands (you can see my blog on wdm.org.uk) and we're hopeful that a Vince Cable influence on the banks will see some of our demands come true -- from a Green Investment Bank, to putting a halt on commodity speculation (campaign to be launched in June).  Watch this space.

And the original intro:

I'm raising money for WDM by riding my bike from London to Paris. There are long days, and hilly days -- 90 miles on the first day to the Kent coast alone. So I'm also intending to train hard over the next couple of months (eek) so I can complete the ride with dignity!

WDM is a brilliant organisation (and I'm not just saying that because I'm the Director). I joined WDM because I believe passionately in what we aim to do -- we are ambitious, clever, and, in my humble opinion, the most effective NGO campaigning to tackle the root causes of poverty and inequality in the developing world. Its our 40th anniversary this year, and we've had some great successes over the years. But there is much to do.

  If you want to know more, please see our website: www.wdm.org.uk or you can also follow me on Twitter @globaljusticeuk. I'll also try to keep this page updated as I go along.

As for this site, donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to WDM and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.