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James Murphy-O’Connor is raising money for Ealing Mencap
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The Etape takes place every year and is a one-day event, usually the very hardest stage of the Tour de France, that is open to amateur cyclists.
This year is no different: 201km of gruelling cycling in the French Pyrenees, including 4 brutal climbs, three of which are amongst the most famous of all Tour de France 'cols.' All in all, there will be over 5,400m of ascent, and the whole course will likely take me (subject to me completing it!) somewhere between 10 and 12 hours.
I have decided that this challenge is an excellent opportunity to raise money for Ealing Mencap, a local charity that my mum has devoted a lot of time to and which does some incredible work. In particular, this money will be going towards the STEP project, which is a training and employment project for adults with learning disabilities. Having heard first hand about the work they do and spoken to some of the organisers about the impact that my fundraising efforts might have, I'm extremely proud and excited by the opportunity to help them out.
In much the same overly self-confident way that I signed up for this challenge in the first place, I have set myself an ambitious fundraising target of £2000, i.e. c.£10 for every kilometre that I cycle. I know that the money raised will be an extreme motivator when there's nothing left in the energy bank half way up Col du Tourmalet!
Many thanks for your kind support in advance, and I'll be sure to send round the obligatory photos of me in lycra, looking knackered!
James