Story
I’m not an endurance athlete and am not taking on some mind-bending challenge. I’m a 55 year old guy who is looking to MOVE FORWARD in life and to encourage others that there is hope after times of deep despair. Join me on my journey to raise some funds and enable the beautiful children at LIV Village to move forward
Some background …
In June 2024 my wife and I were each given a diagnosis of a life-threatening disease. Angela was formally diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, based on a neural condition she had been suffering with for 7 years. I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Stage 3 cancer. Angela sadly passed away in September. Two weeks later I underwent surgery to remove one of my hamstring muscles. I am pleased to say I am cancer free but continuing to deal with the aftermath of the pre-op radiation and surgery.
To say it has been a tough season for us is an understatement. But, through it all, my three daughters and I have experienced much love, kindness and community which has produced hope in our hearts and a commitment to a faith in God who shows kindness and finds us in our grief. Soon after Angela’s death I resolved to “allow grief to refine me not define me”. In allowing that to work its way through me, I am experiencing the reality that trials produce endurance, and endurance produces character.
I feel like I’m in a place where I can move forward again, and want to encourage and support others to do the same. ‘Moving Forward’ for me means taking what has happened and using it in embracing life going forward
I’d like to invite you join me in my cycling adventures around Europe this summer. I will be undertaking several ventures starting with the Tuscany Trail in May, a 440km unsupported gravel meander around the beautiful Tuscan countryside, followed by a supported Great Lakes road cycle from Venice to Milan in June, and additional routes in July and August.
I’m planning to raise funds for LIV Village, a home for 130+ children who have been abandoned, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Our family has been involved with LIV for many years and seen the wonderful life-giving work they do in restoring children and giving them HOPE.
It costs R2,000 / £90a month (R24,000 / c.£1,000) to educate one child for a year. I am personally pledging to give £1 for every bikepacking kilometre cycled in Europe. Please join in to support as many children as we can this year. Your giving will be to LIV’s registered UK charity and is tax deductible
You can see more about LIV in this video:
See what the Tuscany Trail involves here:
Details of our Great Italian Lakes Challenge can be found here:
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http://www.instagram.com/happinessjones5
Follow me on Strava here: