Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

I would really appreciate anything you can give because it will be going to the very worthy cause called East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Crossroads.  I have decided to support this charity because I work with children and previously adults who have very complex needs and see first hand what a massive responsibility the parents and carers have in giving the best quality of life possible.  There are so many added challenges to contend with particularly as the child or adult may have conditions which require specalist medical care and round the clock monitoring, let alone normal stresses and strains of daily life.  Due to the severity of the child's/adult's conditions parents/carers will be anxious to leave the person's side and therefore have little or no time to themselves, or time to spend with other family members, or even doing the mundane things like going supermarket shopping; time that most of us take for granted. 

East Sussex,Brightonand Hove Crossroads is an independent local charity affiliated to Crossroads nationally with a dedicated trained team of Care Support Workers. They provide a free service, usually in the home giving carers time for themselves whilst they take over responsibility for the cared for person, child or young person. Sometimes they will care for the person outside the home.

Someone receiving a care service from Crossroads is likely to want the same carer support worker(s) each visit; consistency in quality and reliability of service; flexibility so that at one level minor nursing tasks can be undertaken by the known and trusted worker, and at the other level basic home help can be provided when time allows or the customer’s priorities dictate. Generally they want the same help as they would get from a trusted friend, or personal assistant but delivered by professionally trained staff. While the carers’ needs are sometimes subjugated to the needs of the cared for, it is accepted that the carer gains most respite by knowing the cared for is receiving the best possible care. This is the nature of the peace of mind which results when there is a crossroads care support worker with whom the carer has built a relationship.  

Nothing can underestimate the peace of mind that a parent/carer can get from knowing that their loved one is receiving the high standard of care that they themselves would give. 

I am hoping that by training hard and riding from London to Paris (madness for a fair weather cyclist who can't sit down after an hour cycle, let alone after five full days of cycling!) I can help support the brilliant work of Crossroads in helping support carers and those cared for.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: East Sussex Brighton & Hove Crossroads gets your money faster and, if you’re a taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!