Cycling for ShelterBox

On Sunday 30 July 2017, I’ll be setting off with thousands of other lycra-clad cyclists to ride 100 miles around London and Surrey.  The route starts in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, then follows a 100-mile route through the capital and into Surrey’s stunning countryside.  With leg-testing climbs and a route made famous by the world’s best cyclists at the London 2012 Olympics the finish line will be on The Mall in central London.  It’s exciting and pretty daunting.  I’ll be riding for ShelterBox.

Why ShelterBox and Why Now?

Disaster can strike anywhere at any time.  People are losing their homes all over the world, through conflict and natural disasters. Right now, around 85 million people around the world have been made homeless by natural disaster and conflict. That’s 85 million.  I can’t even picture how many people that looks like.

I think I’ve been pretty lucky so far in life. I’ve a lovely little family and great friends. I live in a nice house in the beautiful county of Cornwall. I have a car (I mean it’s not my dreeeam car or anything, but you know…). And there’s usually food in the fridge.

But I genuinely can’t think what I would do if something outside of our control destroyed our home, the local infrastructure and life as we know it. I’m sure I have a sleeping bag somewhere. And maybe even a Swiss
Army knife, but I’m not convinced my suburban existence would extend to going all Bear Grylls and building a house for my family. Plus, there’s the fact that my attempts to “fix” anything are generally frowned upon by my nearest and dearest. Arguably with good reason.

What would I do if my family were caught up in a violent conflict or tsunami?  What if there was no-one to help and nowhere to go? How would my wife and I keep our toddler son safe without a roof over his head?  That is why I am raising money for ShelterBox.  And they say it better than I can:

ShelterBox is made up of people who believe in shelter as a human right – that shelter from the chaos of disaster and conflict is vital. No ifs. No buts.

When people are plunged into crisis, normality is suspended. But good, quality shelter can cut through the chaos. This is why we provide the tools that enable people to rebuild homes and transform their lives. 

We do things differently. We were born different. We started life as a small organisation in rugged West Cornwall in the UK and have grown to make a big impact across the world. We don’t follow the crowd – we’ve carved our own path that leads straight to the families we support.

Our pledge

We are impatient to see a world where no family is left without shelter when disaster strikes. This drives us to transform the support of our donors, fundraisers and volunteers into the hope and power of families all over the world - the power to rebuild homes, lives and communities. 

85 million people without homes because of conflict and disaster.  85 million people homeless, surrounded by war, or facing the elements in all their relentless glory.  But Shelter Box is working tirelessly to make sure those people have somewhere to go and somewhere to protect them.

What does the money buy?

Every donation can make a real difference to people in desperate need. 

· £10 is enough to buy tough, treated mosquito nets to protect families from insect-borne diseases.

· £35 can provide tools, ropes and heavy-duty tarpaulins to repair existing structures.

· £80 pays for two water filtration kits that make contaminated water drinkable.

· £230 enables Shelter Box to provide a bespoke all-purpose tent, large enough for an extended family.

Every donation counts and will make a difference to people’s lives.

This 100 miles will be tough, but not as tough as the difficulties facing men, women and children all over the world right now.  I am determined to complete the ride (and, hopefully, in a decent time). Please help me to help ShelterBox to provide families with a roof over their heads and some clean water to drink.

Thank you so much for your support.

Olly.