paul bates's Fundraising Page

Paul Bates is raising money for British Heart Foundation

Participants: Big Rick`s Swim team 2010.

Story

Hi Everyone..!! I Hope I find everyone fit,well and Healthy ..!!, Well Once again this year , i am trying my best to raise funds in aid of The British Heart Foundation,I think by now most of you know my reasons for helping the BHF in anyway I can, but for those who don`t know why i do all these Sea Swims and Monster Bike Rides...! Well....., I do these events in memory of my good friend Mark Rickhuss. Mark sadly died from heart disease in 2005, aged just 41..! Mark was also an accomplished sea swimmer and found out he had angina when he was training for a two way cross channel swim in 2003. A former Warwick School sports centre and pool manager, Mark was helping another swimmer (TIM)finish the cross-channel challenge - something he himself once achieved (1999) - when he suffered a fatal heart attack, just off the coast of France.For those who did not knew Mark personally, he truly was larger than life Guy in so many ways.. ! A real star, and We Miss him everyday..! All my training has started really well this year , The Lake training in Kings Bromley has been good so far,but perhaps just wee bit to cold for my liking...!! ( water temp at present is a Yummy 11 degrees ,stop laughing..!!) ,as for the biking Training, well that has been a little bit harder than i imagined , but i am finally up to 30 miles now, so hopefully a few more weeks of training and ill be OK..!!!( i hope) , I know The swims will be fun to part off ,but I have to admit I am bit worried about the 50 and 70 mile bike ride ( and there is a 100 mile ride latter in the year, HELP. .!!) but sure they will fun as well..!!!..I think.. You`ve all helped me and the BHF so much over the past 2 years, I hope somehow you can find a way to help me once again.. with love always.. Paul.. Events Entered so..( 1st event is on the 19th June.) BHF Pier to Pier Swim in Bournemouth ,The Heart of England Swim in Staffordshire,The Great East Swim in Suffolk ,The Great London Swim At Albert Dock , The Great Manchester swim At Salford Keys and the Great North Swim At Windermere, Big South Swim in Windsor, Still awaiting details for the bike rides i want to do, but will entered as soon as i do ,(and ill let you know)Update 29/6/..last 2 weekend swims have gone really well, The Great Swim in Ipswich was tough as the weather was shocking for all 3000 who swam , it got so bad , that in the end the swim course had to changed to make it safe for the swimmers but it was still fun to swim if just a bit choppy..!!,. Last weeekend swim was the Big One BHF pier swim in Bournemouth..weather was just fabulous, The were 1200 swimmers who all swim in aid of the BHF.. it really was something to see and be proud to take part in.. ..As for the swim itself ... well it was hardest i`ve every done for sure , the tidal currents were so strong on the day,with that and wearing trunks (which didn`t help swim much).. but i finshed and could just about smile after....well it might have been 3 hrs after maybe when i finally warmed up..!! next weekend is The Great London swim at Victoria and Albert docks , looking forward to taking part along 5000 other mad swimmers....!!..wish me luck Paul xxUpdate.20/7/10..The London swim was great..the venue,the event, the weather were all fabulous..swam really well on the day, came 3rd in my age group and 27th over all out of the 5000 who tuck part..The week after was the Midlands Open Water championships at Bosworth water..Had just the best swim..Managed to win the midlands title..have a few weeks of now, then its the BHF ..HEART Of ENGLAND SWIM..really looking to swimming close to home for once..!!! .thank you all for your amazing help so far..paul xx the Heart of england was great fun, 300 people swam .

Update..1/9/10, well summer is almost over..and i only have 2 swim left to do... The Great North Swim this weekend Lake Windermere , and then the Final swim is The Great Manchester swim at Salford Keys 3 weeks and i can have a Rest,( well rest until the 1st BHF bike ride in Coventry on the 3rd Oct.!) i have to admit i am starting to find it hard going now , been swimming and doing other events almost none stop around the UK since April.!, but the support of my family and friends keeps me going..thank you so much for the help and support you have given me this year..i know i can be a pain.. but if by being a pain i can raise some money , ( no matter little it may seem,) its so worth all the effort.. with love always Paul x

update 27/9/

this is my the Final update ( you will be glad to hear)..

well the summer of raising money for the British Heart Foundation is almost over, i did the last of my 14 open water swims at the weekend, and the last swim was best..It was The British Gas Great Manchester swim at the beautiful Salford Quays ..Sure the water was a chilly 14 degrees, but it didn`t stop the 2000 taking part enjoying the day, i`ve had a great summer travelling the UK doing the swims. it was sad that few didn`t take place..missing out on doing The Great Scotland and Great North Swims was very disappointing at the time , But if the water is not safe to swim what can you do i guess..This Weekends BHF 50 Mile Bike Ride round Coventry and Warwickshire will be the last thing of the year, then i can rest.!!! think ill need it.

i can`t thank everyone enough for the your support once more.., its been a very hard year, in one way another..but with the support of family and ,friends i`ve managed to do all the events i planned .With your help we have raised over £ 500 pounds between us for the BHF..which is an amazing effort by you all. A very BIG thank you to you all...

a fast update....4/10/10..Just to let you know the BHf Coventry bike ride went of well for me and the other 800.!!!! The weather was shocking, as was the wind on the day. ..but i managed to finished the 50 miles in 3hrs 40.., even with the bad weather i had a great day..just listening to some of the others stories why they do events while i was riding was just amazing.. thank you again for your help ,love and support this Year..catch you in 2011...paul xx

with love and best wishes,

Paul.

NEXT YEAR 2011...A DOUBLE CHANNEL RELAY IS PLAN..!!!!!!.....

All funds raised will go to the ‘Gift of Hope’ site, which Marks family have set up in his memory; it is part of the BHF.

http://www.mygiftofhope.org.uk/BHFWebSiteCS/Hope/ViewFund.aspx?Fund=markrickhuss

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: British Heart Foundation gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now if you can , be it only 5 pounds...! every pound helps.