Hello!

Back in May, Dad and I were all booked in to cycle to my gran who lives in Garstang, a small northern town near Lancaster which was going to be about 220 miles in total over 4 days. A job offer in Spain being brought forward meant we in the end had to postpone, however we do intend to step up to the challenge next year - maybe when I'm not so full up from a few too many paellas and the UK weather looks a bit brighter!   

In the meantime, I've decided to still cycle the distance to gran - just this time round it will be all locally and across September.  For some reason, I decided 220 miles wasn't quite enough so I will be virtually cycling to Gran, picking her up and heading to one of our regular cafes in Blackpool and then dropping her off back home, which takes it up to 300 miles! 

The plan all along was to raise money for 'Hear Me Out' charity, which is the result of a project set up by Helen's partner and family and is inspired by the life of my auntie, Helen Tetlow, who spent her life helping refugees and asylum seekers in many ways. She also loved music. 'Hear Me Out' takes music-making in to detention centres for detainees to play and enjoy. Organising work shops, community groups and providing a range of instruments and recording equipment are a few examples of what they do to help detainees, but do have a look at their website to see the amazing work they do: 

https://hearmeoutmusic.org.uk/who-we-are

A quote from the website: "Music is part of being human. It unites us all, across every culture. It’s proven to be really important for mental health. When your body is trapped, music can set the mind free. It’s like the music plays and those walls come down. You feel free, even if only for a while. It gives you a voice, a way to express who you really are."   

Thank you so much and let's hope in a way I don't get a job before the end of September, as cycling 75 miles 4 weekends in a row doesn't sound as appealing! :) 

ps - Any company will be much appreciated on my cycles, just get in touch!