I finally got my bike back this week - the frame had broken and it took some time to get it replaced by the manufacturers Dahon under warranty, they made me a new one specially as this was a discontinued model and they had no spare frame in stock!  JE James cycles kindly put it all together and sent it back to me on Monday.

I will be taking the bike out this weekend Saturday 8th June for a 100km ride around London overnight, and I will be doing this in aid of Jigsaw Trust. 

Jigsaw School provides intensive support to children most profoundly affected by autism.  Children travel every day in term time from across Southeast England to the school in Dunsfold, Surrey where they are, taught on a 1:1 basis.   Learning is based on the National Curriculum but custom-designed to ensure success every step of the way.  Children are taught life skills, such as making their bed, to build the greatest independence possible.

 

The cost of each student’s basic education at Jigsaw School is paid for by their Local Education Authority. Beyond that, Jigsaw Trust secures funding for all the specialist facilities on site.  This includes specially adapted playground equipment, a gardening scheme, fitting out a kitchen for life skills training, and a new cycling track and adapted cycles so every child can enjoy the fun.

The school has just been complemented by Jigsaw+, a new centre for lifelong learning, providing young adults a friendly environment that is available to them every week of the year.  Independence is a key goal – being able to load the dishwasher, buy groceries, and do laundry. Employment is encouraged through a supported workplace scheme. Jigsaw+ gives structure to the day and a peer group to interact with.  By providing a happy, nurturing environment, it aims to keep participants living at home, and out of inappropriate residential care.

My connection with Jigsaw is through my wife Dawn who has now been working there for over a year and can see the vital service it offers to children and young people in enabling to reach their potential, at the same providing important respite to their families and carers. 

Please sponsor me if you can - any amount is welcome and will make a difference in the life of a young person.