Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

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A little bit about what I'm doing

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The Etape du Tour is France's most prestigious Cyclosportive race (if not in the world!) and will take place on July 16th in the Pyrenees , from Foix to Loudenvielle and comprises the 15th Stage of the 2007 Tour de France. This monster of a stage is one of the most challenging, rich, and intense of this coming year's Tour de France and consists of 196 kilometres (122 miles) of road bike racing including five mountain passes, not to mention some stupendous scenery!  Over 8000 riders from all over the world will attempt to complete the ride in no more than 11 hours.

A profile of the stage is shown below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Training

 I have been training hard over the winter months to keep my fitness levels up, and am now out every weekend and most weeknights on long bike rides to prepare myself for this gruelling event.  As part of my training I also entered myself in two further bike races which on closer inspection turned out to be almost equal to the main event; One, known as the Grand Fondo, held on the 25^th May, is a 200km ride around Snowdonia National Park; the second is called The Dragon Ride, held on the 23^rd June, also a 200km ride around Wales.  So there is not just one reason to sponsor me, but three.

My Charity

The charity I have decided to ride for is The Cambodian Children’s Charity (www.camkids.org).  Whilst away in 2006 I spent many weeks travelling around Cambodia and it was one of the most amazing places I have ever visited.  The country is beautiful and the people are welcoming.  However, the death of an estimated 2 million Cambodians in the early 70s and the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge have left a lasting and continuing legacy in Cambodia.  Today, it means that children whose parents die, are ill, too poor or otherwise unable to look after them, have little chance of being looked after in their own community.  For the luckier ones, a state or privately run orphanage offers life and the chance of a future.  For many others, the street or rubbish tips of the major cities are their only means of survival – begging or becoming the victims of the child sex trade. Many simply die, unknown, unloved and unaccounted for.  Imagine being 5 years old and all alone in this world, like the boy in this photograph which I took in 2006.  These are just children and every penny you donate has a massive impact on their lives.

Donating

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Cambodian Children's Charity will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now and wish me good luck, I'm going to need it!

Many thanks for your support.

 

 

Mat