“And I can raise £500 and I have raised 500 more!”

So now ON TO THE NEXT £500 (and more!). All on schedule. Just passed the 350 mile mark February 22nd and looking forward to the finish line on March 21st at 500 MILES.

Thanks for your continuing support, it means a lot to me and all my ‘Dancing Family’.

My Story

Last Boxing Day I started my 2025 New Year’s fundraising challenge for DanceSyndrome of cycling 500 MILES (805kms!) on my exercise bike to finish on March 21st 2025 during the annual International Downs Syndrome Awareness Week.

Anyone who knows me will know that I lead Mass Participation dances for DanceSyndrome and my favourite song for this is ‘500 MILES’ by the Proclaimers. Therefore it seemed appropriate for me to cycle 500 MILES.

My main reason and motivation is that very sadly we have just lost our very special friend Pauline Hall on 19th December last year. I do this in her memory. She always joined in so enthusiastically when I was leading this dance. One of my favourite memories is leading this on the ‘Mercat’ Stage to a big crowd on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh (during The Fringe) with Pauline dancing in front of me. She was a very good friend to me and we all miss you Pauline.

As at 22nd January I have cycled 260kms in 10km workouts of varying speeds and I am on schedule. I like to push myself during these sessions.

I am proud to have Downs Syndrome and also to be the Ambassador, Spokesperson and Dance Leader for the DanceSyndrome Charity.

I am hoping to raise a minimum of £500 (hopefully a lot more) for DanceSyndrome, my ‘Dancing Family’, in memory of Pauline and to show my personal appreciation and support of all the people behind the scenes who are constantly working very hard to keep providing our dance sessions, both face to face and on Zoom. They provide a wonderful and essential service enabling me and all my friends at DanceSyndrome to keep fit, achieve, have purpose, develop friendships and enjoy special times, excitement and fulfilment.

So a big THANK YOU to those people.

As with all Charities funding is a constant worry and pressure so I just want to do my bit to help.

If you feel able to sponsor me in my challenge any contribution you are able to make would mean a great deal to me, my family, Pauline’s family, friends at DanceSyndrome and their families.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they’ll never sell them on or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the DanceSyndrome Charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the Charity. It also enables the opportunity of Gift Aid where appropriate which makes a big difference.Thanks for taking the time to visit.