Tim and Gilly (AKA Master Upholder Tim Solway & Consort
Gilly Solway) are donning the lycra to cycle the 178 miles from London to Paris as part of Sheriff Neil and Emma Redcliffe’s City Cycle Team.  We are a group of 26 novice cyclists, all nervously wondering just “How hard can it be?”, whilst purchasing the most padded cycle shorts available….

Our ride will be supporting the Sheriffs' & Recorder's Fund, and Sheriff Neil has arranged for your kind donations for us to go to Fine Cell Work (FCW) which is also the Master Upholder's chosen charity for his year. Fine Cell Work is a charity which makes beautifully handmade soft furnishing and upholstered products in British prisons and at their Fine Works Hub in Battersea. Teaching prisoners & ex-offenders high-quality needlework and upholstery which boosts their self-worth, instils self-discipline, fosters hope and encourages them to lead independent, crime-free lives. This charity changes the lives of the ex-offenders it helps.

The words below from a Fine Cell Work stitcher in prison, explain much better than we can, what this charity achieves:

“I’ve been a member of Fine Cell (FCW) for just over 8 years now and it has been the best experience ever, I never knew how to stitch before and now I can’t go a day without doing some stitch work.

Before FCW I was a self-harmer with mental health problems and I didn’t care about anybody or anything, at times I didn’t even care about ever getting out then came along this group of ladies who wanted to help make a difference and I wanted to try something new. Once I got started I never wanted to stop, I loved it and loved getting letters back from people who had bought my work cause it showed it was all worthwhile.

I would't be the person I am today if it had not been for FCW and the four special ladies who give their time up every week to help us. Because of FCW it has been over six years since I self-harmed, I have no mental health problems now and it has made me a better person, to the point where I may be out early 2017, I'm finally going to settle down and get married and make my partner proud of me for once as well as my family. 

The volunteers never get enough praise for the wonderful job they do and no matter where I end up I will never forget FCW, the volunteers and the chance they gave me. Thank you so very much for the chanceyous give me for all of your patience and hard work, its because of yous that I am the person that I am today and I have seen you change so many mens lives. Yous will always be a part of my journey and I 'm so glad I joined your group. 

I will continue to work hard for yous for these last few months and will always do my best. Once again thank you for everything yous are four special people who will never be forgotten." 

Any support you can give us, would be so much appreciated!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.