Hi there!

 Many of you will know that I have been organising a sponsored cycle ride from Lands End to London to raise money for my favourite charity - the Ealing Abbey Counselling Service (‘EACS’).  Well okay, so I’m biased - I work there! Which also means I have first hand knowledge of the difference EACS makes to so many people’s lives and the ongoing challenges a small charity like EACS faces to raise enough money to keep helping people in need.  

 Between 6 and 11 September 2007 a group of us will be cycling from Land's End to London in an effort to raise at least £10,000 for the service.  As the creator of the route - which spans some 365 miles - I’ve already done it twice over (by car!) so have yet to find out how I’ll feel after 6 solid days pedalling over hill and down dale, especially through Cornwall & Devon, which boast many a steep incline which even my car struggled to climb at times.

 This will be the hardest ride I have ever done and the longest in terms of daily distances.  I hope my training will pay off!  Please sponsor me - your support will spur me on when my legs are telling me otherwise! 

 Meanwhile, here's some more information about EACS...

 Ealing Abbey Counselling Service (‘EACS’) was formed in 1994 at a time when walk-in clinics were closing down and there was no longer anywhere for people on low incomes to address problems connected with their difficult life circumstances, depression and isolation.  Concerned with this loss of support, a small group of psychotherapists & health professionals approached the Parish Priest of Ealing Abbey, who offered counselling rooms and supported the stated aim of providing affordable, medium to long term counselling & psychotherapy to all, irrespective of belief or culture.

 Today EACS is one of the largest voluntary sector counselling and psychotherapy services in the South East with around 100 practitioners, most of whom are volunteers.   We offer 1 to 1 counselling, with our volunteer practitioners seeing up to 180 clients a week.  We also offer group work for victims of domestic violence, an anger management group and a men’s group.

 In spite of all of this, our annual running costs are modest at approximately £105,000, thanks to our high voluntary input and low overheads.

 Many of our clients come from the most vulnerable and deprived sectors of society.  They may be experiencing enduring problems of more than one kind, ranging from depression and isolation to sexual abuse and self harm.  We work to help people recover an acceptable level of healthy functioning so that they can actively participate in life.  We ask our clients to make a financial contribution to the service, but we do not impose a set fee, leaving it to the individual to decide how much they are able to pay.

 These contributions, together with funding from the statutory services, significantly help towards our running costs.  However, raising sufficient income year on year is an ongoing challenge and we are constantly seeking new ways to raise funds. 

 Our major fundraising event for 2007 is the Lands End to London sponsored cycle ride.  We are very grateful to the cyclists who have volunteered to support the EACS and hope you will support their efforts generously. 

 If you’d like to know more about the work of EACS please visit our website at http://www.eacs.org.uk/

 If you've never donated via justgiving it really is simple, fast and safe.  It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Ealing Abbey Counselling Service will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please dig deep for a great cause.

Many thanks for your support.

 Deb