David Godley
David Godley's 1858 Cycle Challenge
Fundraising for Railway Benefit Fund
Story
Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
RBF was founded in 1858 and for over 160 years has provided support to railway people and their dependents when they most need help. The charity offers a confidential service of financial assistance, practical help, and wide-ranging advice.
Having joined British Rail on the 4th of September 1978, and now 65 years of age, I’m approaching the end of my career. Railway engineering continues to be my passion and I am enormously proud to be part of the railway family that extends to over a quarter of a million employees.
Not surprisingly, my favourite form of travel these last forty years has been by train but it is closely followed by bicycle and so I have decided to raise funds for RBF by undertaking an indoor cycling challenge during this COVID restricted winter. Commencing on Monday 1st February, my firm intention is to cycle on the indoor trainer every day from 18:58 hours for an hour or more until I have amassed a total of 1,858 miles. This will take twelve weeks if I average at least 22 miles daily without a single day off.
I hope to persuade 500 of my colleagues and railway friends across the industry to sponsor me for £18.58, equivalent to one penny per mile. Some railway people may wish to join me virtually on Zwift or follow me on Strava and Garmin.
The total aim of nine thousand pounds is a big ask but I want to challenge myself to mark my last year of full-time employment by doing something memorable and worthwhile.
There has been a huge increase in demand for help from RBF since the outbreak of Covid-19 and it is clear that an increasing number of our colleagues in the rail industry are now struggling to cover the basic costs of living.
Thank you for helping me in this endeavour and more importantly thank you for supporting RBF.
