I am Lesley Wilkinson, my son Lewis is the conductor of North Skelton Brass Band. I am cycling approximately 200 miles over 3 days from London to Paris on 28th June 2018 with a group of women known as Durham Redstarts cycling club. We begin at the London Eye and head to Newhaven to catch the ferry to Dieppe. 2 further days are spent cycling through France before we reach Paris and end our journey at the Eiffel Tower.

North Skelton Band are a brass band made up of around 30 members that meet twice a week to rehearse music for concerts and contests. They perform at many exciting events across the region, from the Service of Remembrance lead by Archbishop John Sentamu at Middlesbrough cenotaph to summer bandstand concerts in Saltburn and Ropner Park. The band also take part in contests and through hard work and dedication have won the last three they have entered. This means they have qualified to represent the region at the National Finals to be held in Cheltenham in September.

The band is made up of a diverse range of people. From teachers to retired police officers, from florists to students and almost every profession in between. The youngest member of the band is 14, whilst the oldest is 83 and members try to balance the intensity of making such good music with meeting up for social events.

i began cycling 6 years ago tootling up and down the railway lines in Durham & soon realised what a great exercise and mood enhancer it is. Since then I‘ve completed the Coast to Coast, Hadrian’s Way, Way of the Roses and Coast & Castles (all endurance rides over a few days).

In training I’ve recently completed the Wooler Wheel (100km ride) & even cycled through Middlesbrough & Stockton crossing the Tees via the Transporter Bridge & Tees Barrage

In the past I’ve been sponsored for registered charities close to my heart but for this ride I’d like you to consider sponsoring me for this worthy cause. My son Lewis Wilkinson is the Conductor or this band so this cause too is close to my heart because I’m so proud of everything he’s achieved with such a great band. I know how hard they work on some difficult pieces of music. They embrace the challenge so as not to let the fabulous art of brass banding die. They work as a team to be inclusive to players young & old and entertain locally. I‘ve seen the band help launch local lifeboats in the summer & bring in the festive season playing traditional carols in the winter. Lets support this band as in order to continue they need financial support. There is no obvious grants or funding from local or central government so the least I can do to help support them is cycle to France!

Dig deep x