The Challenge -  cycle 400km across Tuscany in four days. Starting from Pisa we will travel through Voltera, Sienna and Florence before heading back to Pisa.  In total we will climb 5000 metres - more than half the height of Mount Everest.  

Why are we doing this ?  - These two charities have a common underlying goal to make a real difference to the quality of life and create opportunities for children or adults who face significant challenges.

Hope and Homes for Children exist to help the 8 million
children who are trapped in orphanages around the world claim back their lives and grow up within the love of a family. They are leading experts in closing down orphanages and reforming Childcare systems worldwide.

Orphanages have a profoundly damaging effect on children’s lives. Children who grow up in orphanages are 10 times more likely to become involved in prostitution; 40 times more likely to end up with a criminal record; and in some countries, 500 times more likely to commit suicide. Over a third of children report being victims of severe physical and sexual abuse. Many orphanages are associated with catastrophic child mortality rates.

Yet over 80% of these children have parents or family who, with the right support, could love and care or them.

Hope and Homes for Children are global leaders in child protection reform and de-institutionalisation. They work to strengthens vulnerable
families and provide alternative family based care for children who have no-one else.

They develop sustainable, systemic solutions alongside local
organisations and authorities, ensuring the interests of children always come first. And by working with Governments to put the right legislation in place, they make sure it is there for the long-term.

Autistica is the UK's leading autism research charity. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to the world around them. Autism includes a spectrum of conditions, which means that while all people share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways.

• 1 in 4 children with autism speak few or no words
• Only 15% of autistic adults are in full-time employment
• 79% of people with autism experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety
• People with autism are dying 16 years earlier than the general population

Autistica works to ensure everyone affected by autism has the chance of a long, happy, healthy life. Through our research, we are helping families by speeding up diagnosis and getting them the support that they need much faster. We are tackling the appallingly high rates of early
death and increased risk of suicide in those with autism. We are working to understand and treat epilepsy and anxiety that cast a shadow over so many with autism. Through research, we can give every child born with autism the best possible chance in life. Your support will help us improve our understanding of autism and provide individuals and families with the answers they so desperately need.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

All the costs of the event are met by Deutsche Bank or the fundraisers personally.  Every pound, dollar or euro will go straight to the charities.
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 the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.