Midlife Cycle Crisis??

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. To 'celebrate' my 50th birthday I'm going for the big UK cycling challenge, Lands End to John O'Groats - over a 1000 miles.  I normally cycle about 25 miles a day (that's when I can get on my bike) so wonder if I'm really up to this!  I start off from Lands End and am expecting to complete the trip in 15 days. I hope to update you en route about my progress via this website.

THE LATEST - Charlie set off from Lands End 2 June where a dolphin performed three consecutive leaps close to shore just before his departure. Obviously a good omen! Thankyou to Barbara and Dennis for putting C up near Bodmin - cold beer and hot bath much appreciated! Cornwall/Devon/Somerset...done; fuelled by cream teas - thankyou Wedmore. Sandy and Bob meet C at Ross on Wye and cycle to Bridges YHA in Shropshire. Sore bums but no rain yet! Charlie glad to have navigated through Manchester area; loved Forest of Bowland and is now over the border at Peebles where he is meeting Dom. Dropped into see Sharon (Doms wife) for cuppa, over Forth Road Bridge and now at Auchterarder (13th). Fuelling up for the biggies - the Cairngorms bring hail! Rachel, Rob and Ian join in over Glenshee. C, alone again, has conquered Tomintoul Pass, had tea in Inverness and is now in Tongue after a glorious cycle from Bonny Bridge which involved a tail wind and 40miles of single track road surrounded by glorious scenery. C took a picture of his cyclometer reading just before reaching Tongue - 999.9 miles! Only one day to go to John o Groats...Charlie completed his challenge arriving at JoG at 4.50pm on Wed 18th June. 1067ml on the clock. What a fantastic effort! He'll be cycling a mere 20mls to Wick today in order to catch 6am train to Kings Cross tomorrow morning - will be looking out the bunting! Thanks to all for your fantastic support - Charlie's nearly reached his fundraising target and further sponsorships still gratefully received.

Here in the UK we tend to take copious supplies of clean, safe tap water for granted.  My children can take a shower, wash the dishes (one can only hope) or help themselves to a glass of water without a second thought.  Compare that to the developing world where a child dies every 17 seconds from drinking unsafe water - that's over 75,000 deaths during my 15 day trip. No amount you can spare is too small and every penny will go to WaterAid.  I will pay all my own expenses. 

My target is to raise £2,500. Money that can be used to supply 2 villages in Burkino Faso with two hand dug wells and sustainable hand pumps (@ £960 ea) and provide 2 rural Indian schools with santitation blocks (@ £385 ea). Clean water and hygenic toilet facilities save lives. Your support would be fantastic.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: WaterAid 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.

Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Thankyou so much... and wish me luck!

Charlie