Garrath Fulford
Trois Etape
Fundraising for Friendship Works
Story
In an irrational moment in the depths of last winter, I signed up to take part in the Trois Etapes Challenge from the 28th to 31st July, a charitable cycling event supprting a number of UK charities. I will be riding for Friendship Works, the UK's oldest children's mentoring charity. Children aged 5 - 16 are referred to Friendship Works when they do not have a stable and positive adult influence in their lives and many have experienced domestic violence or a parent with substance abuse issues, extreme financial hardship or they may be a young carer for a parent with mental or physical health issues. Their adult volunteers commit to mentoring a child on a weekly basis for a minimum of two years - a substantial commitment, yet over half continue their role for over five years. During this time, children are supported to increase their confidence, resilience and ambition with regards to their own potential. Further details can be found here:
www.friendshipworks.org.uk. The event is tageting £1 million of fundraising.
"Irrational" because the Trois Etapes is a three day, pro-am competition taking place from July 28th to 31th. The routes take you over Alpe D'Huez, Col du Galibier, Col de la Madeleine, Col de la Croix de fer and a bunch of other col that pepper the Tour du France alpine stages. Way above my usual zone of play in both terrain and pace with a number of summits topped out in lunar landscape way above the tree line. The second day I've ridden before, and was in last year's tour ~ finish in the Apl d'Huez ski station after 21 hairpins of sun fried tarmac. Three times over is a different matter altogether!
Nonetheless it's a great set-up and I'm feeling somewhat intimidated by the organiser's comments: "Each team of five will have the backing of a pro rider, a team support car, soigneur and team mechanic. It has just been annouced that the 2008 Tour de France winner Carols Sastre wil be making cycling history and returning to the site of his famous stage victory as a rider in the Trois Etapes. The event will be televised on Eurosport". I don't want to leave any chance of failure for the charity, RBS, or the over 40's club, so I've slated 2 other Etape "stages" in early July to prepare, so I'm looking at 19,000 meters vertical and 750 kilometres event distance in a month.
All of the funds I raise will go towards supporting Friendship Works. I will make sure the costs of the event are fully covered by me, so you will not be subsidising my antics in any way. I would really appreciate any sponsorhip and support that you can give.
Thank you,
Garrath
PS - details on Claiming back higher rate tax below
If you pay higher rate tax, you can claim the difference between the higher rate of tax 40 and/or 50 per cent and the basic rate of tax 20 per cent on the total 'gross' value of your donation to the charity or CASC.
You can make this claim on your Self Assessment tax return, if you were sent one. For more information see section below ‘Telling HMRC about your Gift Aid donations’.