On 12th April 2010, I had a bit of a wild idea and sent a message to 3 friends at Red Stripe who I thought could help me with the information on the island distance. As you all know, ideas are at their most fragile when they are not yet fully formed or supported, and it would have been very easy to kill this one, as many people tried to do later on, thankfully, when the momentum made that an impossibility. My 3 friends didn’t kill it. They heard a wild and never been done before idea, and they immediately got behind it, reinforcing its existence through belief. To me, and these 3 friends, there was never any doubt in the possibility and reality of achieving our objective, of cycling without sleep around Jamaica (400 miles), but when I recall just how many people did not believe this was possible, the belief and support of my 3 friends is all the more incredible. Now we’ve done it, it’s easy to believe in it. The learning from me is to believe in, and support the wild and the impossible, the never been done, and don’t be the one to squash someone’s fragile hope, glimmer of possibility and chance to make a difference. Whenever or wherever you get the “ask” for help, be there. It might save 7 children’s lives, and be the start to countless more lives saved in the many tomorrows this ride will have in Jamaica.

 

Chain of Hope Jamaica:

 

We’ve agreed to raise money again for Chain of Hope Jamaica. The reason I love this charity is because of people like Dr Sherard Little, Emma Scalan, Lisa D’Oyen, people who are so passionate about what they do, and so skilled at it. We finished our ride on the 16th August last year, and 2 days later, 2 of the operations we had raised money for, happened, and a week later, another 2, and so on. They act immediately. All the money, and I mean all, goes to the operations, and they live the change they want to make in the world – every day. They are brilliant.

 

We also plan on meeting as many of the children who have had the heart surgery operations through Chain of Hope as we can. We are asking them to come out, with their families wherever they are along our route, so we can meet them and be inspired, and so we can raise even more awareness.

 

This year, Dr Alan Magee, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist who has been volunteering in Jamaica on Chain of Hope missions for many years is joining the cycle! Not only does Dr Magee dedicate his time, knowledge and skills to Chain of Hope but has also managed to find the time to train for this extremely challenging cycle ride to help fund the much needed operations for children in Jamaica.

 

The Ride:

 

 Last year, we rode 400 miles, and we circled the island, with no sleep and only 15-30 minute stops in various centres. This year, we are adding on a piece down to Treasure Beach, and therefore doubling the impact of the mighty Spur Tree Hill as we will need to ride from Treasure Beach all the way up to the bottom of the hill before tackling it. What could be more fun on a Sunday morning after 350miles in the saddle!!? 430 miles, with only small breaks in between, through the day, night and next day, for 8 lives. What will you do for 8 lives?

 

The Stops:

 

We are going to stop in urban centres, making as much noise and raising awareness as we ride. Everyone in Jamaica will know what we are doing this time, and we will be on air and TV as we go. At least that’s the aim! We will be waving our money bucket around throughout the route also. Join the caravan if you want, or come out anywhere along the route. We will have as many celebrities as possible joining us throughout the ride, patting us on the back and maybe even jumping onto a bike to ride a little way with us. Just for fun!

 

 Publicity:

 

 We will have posters / t shirts and will be making a lot of noise for us and also for our sponsors, who are making this happen. Every single penny of support goes to the operations. As riders, we will pay for all of this ourselves, with Red Stripe helping us with the vehicles for support and drivers etc.

 

Your role:

 

 Please support us by sponsoring this event. The cause is fantastic, the difference you will make is immediate and life changing – i.e. it will last forever! It will also be fun.

 

 To donate by cheque or bank transfer please contact Lisa on chainofhopefoundationjamaica@yahoo.com

 

Please support – we’re doing something a little mad, to make a very serious difference to the lives of 8 children, to their families and friends lives – and who knows what impact this can have on Jamaica, as they grow up to be whatever their imagination allows them – as long as they also have the courage my 3 friends had to believe, and to follow it! Be a part of tomorrow!