Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 

I'm doing this after having completed my task. Not conventional but there we go!

 

Rather than compose something new, here is a copy of an email i sent having just completed the job.

-----

Hi, my name is Gordon Hay, and I am on the scrounge!
But NOT for donations!

(I am on the scrounge for donations now!!!)

Many people have completed the End 2 End in quicker times, more unusual modes of transport, and for magnificent causes. Many of these causes I heard about while chatting to other kindred spirits (ie nutters !) along the way, which brings a lump to my throat as I type.

Due to fear of failure, I told no one I was cycling LeJoG (Landsend to John O'Groats)until day 9 of my Rollercoaster Ride. (Dodgy Knees, Fitness etc).

The Road soon strips bare any superficial, selfish desire to complete a "Summer Jolly".

The support I received from family, friends and colleagues, from as far as Melbourne, Malaysia and California is more than I can express.
Calls, Txt, E-mail, FaceBook.

A dear friend quoted, at just the right moment, "Cuts n Bruises fade away, but Quitting lasts Forever"!

I started on 31st May and finished on 12th June, Luck 13 Days by my reckoning!

This was on my own, on a mountain bike, carrying WAY too much gear, sleeping out each night with sleeping and bivvy bag. Lovely weather for June! I seem to have developed a talent for choosing the most rancid, flee infested spots to bivvy! Sorry, exaggeration, 8 out of 14 nights under the stars as the lure of friends and family became too much!

My fund raising shall be done after the fact!

The drive to complete the E2E became clear after being BROKEN near Kendall.

I have not been close to my father for years, until recently, when we started talking again.

For him, the first Cause is for Prostate Cancer.

(My father has nominated CHAS, Children's Hospice Association Scotland, specifically Rachel House - Kinross)

The second, is for Radio Forth's Cash For Kids.

(There will be an Open Day held at McDonald Road Fire Station, Edinburgh, on Saturday 19th June, all are welcome.)

Now you will be glad to hear why I am contacting you.

In completing the E2E, I have just removed a "Monkey" from my back, which has been there for over 20 years!

As a young lad I cycled Pitlochry to John O'Groats. I met up and cycled with a man who had done the whole journey.

When he signed the register at the Hotel at John O'Groats, I felt I had not earned the right to make my own entry! I therefore wrote a sub paragraph under the other man's entry.

The details are vague, but roughly: "Done part of the journey, feel your pain, and ONE DAY, I WILL RETURN"!

On 12th June 2010 I earned the right to make my own entry!

I spent a couple of hours at JoG, going through the records. (Hotel Closed, records moved). There seemed to be a few books missing.

I am 39 now, and made my initial entry when roughly 16-22. That gives a range of 1987-1993. June-September. All very vague.

If it is at all possible, can you try to find my initial entry? (Scan, photocopy, digital pic, anything)

The world will keep on turning if you can't find it, but you would bring a huge smile to a tired and aching, battered and bruised fire fighter on his way back to work with a lump in his throat.

Eternally Grateful for any time you can put to this very personal task.

-----

My "Summer Jolly" means nothing. It was purely a bike ride. (Longer than my usual, and with a sore bum).

 

What matters is that you all find a few pennies, preferrably pounds, to donate to CHAS and Cash For Kids!

 

 

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.