Some of you will remember that a group of us from Bowley Close Rehabilitation Centre in Crystal Palace took part in the London to Brighton bike ride last year ... and survived!! Once the pain had subsided, we were quick to agree to sign up again this year. A bit of training had been done, the bike was given a bit of an verhaul and then on Sunday 19^th June we headed south again. We had a very good day!! We managed to set off at 7.30am in perfect cycling weather conditions and rolled into Brighton 56miles later at 13.15. I would like to thank all of you who have already given generously to the cause of Wheelchairs for Third World Countries. May God bless you.

 

This is what I wrote before the ride:

 As last year, I would like to take this opportunity to raise money for the Charity "Through the Roof" and in particular for their overseas branch called "Wheels for the World". As many of you know, I have been involved with this charity for many years as a member of teams assessing, adjusting, modifying and handing-over refurbished wheelchairs in such countries as Kenya, Albania and South Africa.

 

Although I have been unable to go on a trip during the past three years, I have been involved in collecting and transporting donated wheelchairs from East London to the a storage place in West London. From there the wheelcahirs are then taken for refurbishment to Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight, prior to being sent abroad with a team.

 

Occasionally I am asked to give a presentation talk about the work of the charity. Each time I do this, I am reminded of how much I would love to join again with a "Wheels" team. At the same time, looking through my photos from previous trips brings back to me the joy that receiving wheelchairs and other mobility aids brings to people, who otherwise wouldn't have access to the sort of life-transforming equipment that we in Europe take so much for granted.

 

As you will see, I have included on this page a few pictures from my last visit to Kenya. However, if you would like to have a fuller insight into what happens on "Wheels For The World" trips, do let me know, and I will happily send you a short DVD. For more information about the different strands of the wonderful work of "Through the Roof" in the UK and abroad you can also check out  www.throughtheroof.org.

 

None of this work could happen without the generous gifts of people like you. Just to give you an idea of the costs involved: £40.00 will help refurbish one wheelchair, £100 will help refurbish a wheelchair, plus spare-parts, and pay for shipping costs, while around £3000 will help finance a container to transport the wheelchairs to an approved destination.

 

 It's easy to donate online with a credit or debit card - just go to my JustGiving page:

http://www.justgiving.com/MeikeCurrie

 

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.