IMAGINE ………………………………………We did it!!!!!

1 x broken tent

(due to 75mph winds and torrential rain on the first night)

2 x very tired cyclists on two very mud splattered bikes

4 x very sore knees

5 x Marmite cereal bars (consumed each per day) …………………

150 miles covered in a total of 19 hours (including breaks) ..

but despite the atrocious weather conditions and the fatigued riders’ painful muscles over £1,600 has already been raised for the Alder Hey IMAGINE Appeal, with this sum likely to rise to nearer £2,000 once all sponsorship money is collected.

If you have already sponsored me thank you so much for your support it is really appreciated.

If you haven’t had chance to sponsor me yet it’s not too late to do so ……

 

                                                                                                          Stephen 19/07/10

WORD HAS COME THROUGH FROM THE SUPPORT TEAM (AKA NEIL'S FIANCE, EVIE IN THE BONGO!) THAT THE BOYS ARE OFF AND AWAY AND THAT THE WEATHER WASN'T TOO BAD AT THE START.

STORMS LAST NIGHT CRACKED POLES IN STEPHEN'S TENT SO I THINK IT WILL BE A B&B TONIGHT FOR HIM TONIGHT!  EVIE WAS JUST OFF TO THE LAUNDRETTE TO TRY AND GET THE KIT DRY!!!!

OH WHAT FUN!!!

                                                                                        Georgina 16/07/10

WELL, NEIL AND I ARE ON OUR WAY UP TO WHITEHAVEN TODAY READY FOR THE BIG DAY TOMMORROW .....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH - MY NEW TARGET OF £1,250 HAS BEEN REACHED AND INFACT WELL AND TRUELY EXCEEDED!!!

I HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMED AND TOUCHED BY THE GENEROSITY OF OUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, COLLEAGUES AND ACQUANTANCES - THANK YOU.

                                                                                                          Stephen 15/07/10

THANK YOU SO MUCH. 

YOU HAVE HELPED ME ACHIEVE MY TARGET OF £750 

THERE IS STILL A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE BIKE RIDE IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL IF WE COULD RAISE A LITTLE MORE ........?

                                                                                                          Stephen 01/07/10

Thank you for taking the time to log onto my JustGiving page.  I hope that you feel inspired to make a donation, however large or small, to our cause which I will explain in a bit more detail ................. 

I am currently in 'training' (in between working full time, changing nappies, ironing and getting a bit of sleep now and again!!) for a bike ride challenge. 

Myself, and my brother Neil, are hoping to attempt the Coast to Coast Bike Ride - 147 miles of substantial up hills (and plenty of freewheel whizzy downhill bits too I hope!!) from Whitehaven to Tynemouth, via the stunning panoromas of the beautiful Lake District and the Pennines.  This rather gruelling escapade is set to take place from Friday 16th to Saturday 17th July 2010.  Sophia is going to take all the glory no doubt though with a ride on my handlebars over the finish line!!! (With Grace and Lucie pushing Daddy the last few metres to the finish line if my legs give up!).

But why are we doing this you ask?  (Apart from the fact that we are getting a bit long in the tooth and flabby and in general need of some serious exercise that is!!!).

As you will probably be aware the latest addition to the Reynolds household, Sophia, arrived on 3rd October 2009 rather early (10 weeks in fact!) weighing a mere 3lb 7oz.  She progressed very well in Warrington Neonatal Unit and was able to join our family at home at the end of November last year.  Unfortunately, however, she picked up a chest infection in December and due to her still small size and fragility she hadn't the strength to fight it.  She was admitted to Warrington General Hospital on Christmas Day and as her condition continued to worsen she was transferred to Alder Hey Paediatric Intensive Care Unit on Boxing Day.  Sophia was extremely poorly for over a week and throughout that time neither ourselves nor the doctors knew if she would pull through or not - however, what we were quite sure about throughout that time was that she was being cared for in the best possible place by the best possible people. 

Sophia is a fighter through and through - she made it!!  She was finally discharged from Alder Hey on 19th January 2010.   

Without the skills, expertise and dedication of the staff at Alder Hey, together with the state of the art equipment they have access to the bottom line is that Sophia would not be here with us today enjoying life as she most certainly does.  

If you have not had the pleasure of meeting Sophia yet I can assure that when you do you will be bowled over by her beautiful sunny smile and despite her rocky start in life she is one of the most contented and happy babies I have come across.  She is indeed a very special little girl but she is also very lucky to have two brilliant big sisters, Grace and Lucie, who love her to bits and who take very special care of her, being just so pleased to have at home at last after such a long wait.

Our family owe a lifelong debt of gratitude to the wonderful doctors and nurses at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool.  We have made our own personal long term financial commitment to the Alder Hey IMAGINE Appeal but we wanted to make a big effort to raise as much money as possible as a way of saying a big 'Thank You' through this sponsored bike ride, giving other children a fighting chance of a long and happy life too - will you help us do that?

IMAGINE is the name of Alder Hey's charity, a fundraising campaign that helps the hospital to continue their pioneering work, to develop facilities and to offer the very highest standards of care to their young patients. Every donation they receive helps them to achieve even more to improve the quality of life for children in hospital. From researching medical conditions to buying vital equipment, to building a better environment and providing support for patients and their families.

Please, if you are able to, give a donation.  Large or small, it doesn't matter as the cliched every penny counts and is most certainly appreciated.

Thank you......................................

I look forward to updating you on our progress as we go forth on our journey (but please don't expect many heroics as I don't think my old knees can take it!)

 

Stephen

PS More information about the Coast to Coast route and what it entails can be found at http://www.c2c-guide.co.uk/