Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In November 2011 I will be travelling to Vietnam, climbing onto a bike and cycling 400km through Vietnamese coutryside and over the border into Cambodia. This is quite some challenge for even the most accomplished of cyclists but more so for me as I haven't even sat on a bike for many years!!  

The reason I have decided to take part in this event is to raise funds for an amazing charity called 'The Genesis Research Trust '. Professor Robert Winston is the Chairman of this charity, leading vital groundbreaking research into conditions which affect women and their babies such as premature birth, stillbirths, genetic disorders and cancer. Having worked as a Children's Nurse for the last 22 years (and in recent years solely with children with complex health needs, and physical and learning disabilities), I have first hand experience of the devastating effects that many of these conditions have on families.

I am about to begin training with the help of my husband John and daughters Abi and Georgina. I am prepared for many aches, pains and a bit of numbness along the way but I am very determined to raise as much money as possible for this special cause. I have committed to raising a minimum of £3100, although I have set a personal target a little higher. I plan to update this page regularly to let you all know how I'm getting on, I may even post the odd photo or two!!

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 help me raise as much money as possible for 'Women for Women'.

Thank you very very much

Shan xxx

19.06.2010  Bunbury village Day

I recently put an email out to colleagues, and a notice in our local village magazine, to ask for donations of books to sell at Village Day as a start to my fundraising efforts. The response was amazing. Colleagues donated books by the box full, and many nights I got home from work to find another bag of books on my doorstep from friends and neighbours! I arrived at Village Day with a huge boot full of books and spent a very busy afternoon selling. On the day I raised £145 and still have at least half the books left to sell at our next local Village fete. 

A very big 'THANK YOU' to all who donated such great books and to those who supported me on the day by buying them!  xx

  

20.06.2010

Just completed my first cycle ride accompanied by my daughter Georgina. (7 miles down, many many more to go!) x

11.01.2011

After a hectic few months, which included Christmas, it's now down to some serious fundraising! After hearing about my plans, my friend Jane Brown decided to join me on this cycle challenge which was great news for me. Not only do I have a lovely cycling partner to train with, we have also joined forces in our fundraising efforts. Our first event is a Valentines Ball on 12.02.2011. This is being held at Tarporley Hotel, Golf and Spa and promises to be a wonderful evening of romance and glamour. We have also got a couple of other events lined up including 'Cow Pat Bingo'!!

As for training, after a very enthusiastic start a knee injury, the weather and dark nights have curtailed our activities somewhat. Hopefully, after a surgical procedure on my knee next week it shouldn't be too long before I'm back on the road. Photos of our progress to follow!

05.06.2011

Time is ticking away so fast...I can't believe it's now just under 6 months until we board that plane heading for Vietnam!! The Valentine Ball turned out to be a great evening and a huge success. Thanks to everybody who supported us in so many ways, helping us to raise a great total of £3700.

My training was unfortunately put on hold due to complications following surgery on my knee in January. After a  frustrating few months I'm very happy to say that I am now back in the saddle and getting on with my training. I'm reallylooking forward to getting out and about around the Cheshire countryside with my cycling buddies during the summer months.  

Its Bunbury Village Day on June 18th and the second hand book stall will be a feature again. I'm still looking for donations of books in good condition to help raise as much money as possible for this fantastic cause.

23.08.2011

I cannot believe there are only 3 months left until we leave for Vietnam! I've had my vaccinations and decided upon my anti-malarial treatment - it's all starting to feel very real. Our training programme is really starting in earnest and there are many cycling miles planned over the next few weeks. Our next fundraiser is a 'Gourmet Evening' which is being kindly hosted by some friends. This will include authentic South East Asian Cuisine and some suprise challenges along the way! We're also doing a car boot sale in a couple of weeks to hopefully  sell the remainder of our stock of donated books and toys.

A big 'THANK YOU'  to everybody who has supported my fundraising efforts so far. There is still time to make a donation to this special charity and help fund vital research which could make such a difference to so many women and their families.