Belinda Cornell
Cornell Challenge
Fundraising for Amref Health Africa UK
Story
Thank you all so much for your amazing support. We're now safely returned, rather missing the fresh air although not missing the relentless hills of the south of England! The Boni are absolutely flabbergasted to know there lives are going to change so much for the better as a result of the generous friends and family of the Cornells. .
A millions thanks - we are so touched to have raised so much money, a total far beyond our wildest dreams.
Diary of the Trip
Day 6: Ils sont arrivés! 3 red t-shirts came whizzing around Sloane Square to tumultous applause at 1pm. Oriels were a bit sniffy about having their front decked with balloons and banners but who cares - the Cornell Crew did it - Good for them. After several congratulatory hugs and a quick lunch, they finished their trip under Marble Arch with the compulsory photo call enjoying every moment of their new found fame! They are in very good spirits, extraordinarily un-stiff and now have thighs like steel! I wonder if they're planning the next challenge . . . . ?
Day 5: 200 miles so far in 5 days - WOW. It is really such an achievement and as Christopher said, would have been complete hell had they not been super fit. They are now staying in the North Downs. Some might say a little foolhardy to choose what is the highest part of South England as a stopover as it naturally meant a lot of almost perpendicular hills in order to get there. However, they made it and although thighs are aching, the adrenalin is pumping and they are raring to go for the last and final stint into London. 1pm Sloane Square, please be there if you possibly can to cheer them on.
Day 4: Au'revoir La France! The Cornell crew took the ferry to Newhaven and have done their first leg in England. Suddenly their trip felt rather less glamorous and both the hills and traffic were quite a challenge. Sarah is doing brilliantly and to their surprise, and hers, has cycled up every hill and is still on a complete high. We are planning the welcome home party at Oriels, Sloane Square. They are due in at 1pm on Friday 10th - please do come along if you possibly can along with a red or white balloon or wearing a red t-shirt. Day 3: S.O.S. from Cornell Crew: I quote "send urgently Dutch courage, refill of humour, bottle of pedal power and a new top of the range arse". Someone conned them when they were told there weren't any hills in Northern France! They have been cycling on the Route Verte today which is absolutely stunning. Less attractive however, Christopher and Bee apparently cycled topless due to the heat - I fear they may have given a few of the locals rather a fright! Day 2: 54 miles later, the Cornell Crew have made it through their 2nd day but I think are wondering what on earth they were thinking of taking on this challenge. Sarah was trying to be cool, doing a spot of free styling hands free and promptly fell off and has been banned from doing it again! However much to her surprise actually managed to pedal up all the hills, of which there were several very big ones. They have collapsed in a heap in a "moderately" comfortable hotel ready to take on another day. Day 1: The Cornell Crew have made it to their first destination all in one piece. They had a fantastic send off in Paris and were last spotted negotiating a terrifying 10 lines of traffic across the Arc de Triomphe. Sarah pumped the air, Kelly Holmes style, on arriving the other side! They collected Bee, who after partying 2 nights in a row was a little jaded but none-the-less she kept up with the pace. Sarah is being rationed tomorrow as she's slightly O.T.T from overdosing on a high energy carbohydrate drink other than that all in all a very good start to their challenge! Go Cornells go! ----------------------------------------------------------- On Sunday (September 5th) the three of us will set off on a bike ride from Paris to London. We're raising money for Africa's largest indigenous health organisation - AMREF (African Medical and Research Foundation) and most specifically The Boni Community who live deep in the forest in the Lamu District towards the Somali border in Kenya. They are hunters and gatherers living on roots, honey and nuts but it is no longer legal for them to hunt animals and so due to a combination of seasonal and agricultural factors they are on the verge of starvation. In the rainy season the dirt track road becomes virtually impassable and most of them do not have access to clean, safe water. A senior member of AMREF told us that, in his opinion, "They are amongst the most disadvantaged people on earth". Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure and a most efficient way to sponsor the us. If you are a tax payer an extra 28% will added to your gift at no cost to yourself. We would really appreciate your support...Something has got to help keep us pedalling and the thought that deep in Africa our efforts will save lives will really inspire us so if you possibly can please sponsor us as we embark on our ultimate bike ride!! Thank you so much. Christopher, Sarah and Bee
A millions thanks - we are so touched to have raised so much money, a total far beyond our wildest dreams.
Diary of the Trip
Day 6: Ils sont arrivés! 3 red t-shirts came whizzing around Sloane Square to tumultous applause at 1pm. Oriels were a bit sniffy about having their front decked with balloons and banners but who cares - the Cornell Crew did it - Good for them. After several congratulatory hugs and a quick lunch, they finished their trip under Marble Arch with the compulsory photo call enjoying every moment of their new found fame! They are in very good spirits, extraordinarily un-stiff and now have thighs like steel! I wonder if they're planning the next challenge . . . . ?
Day 5: 200 miles so far in 5 days - WOW. It is really such an achievement and as Christopher said, would have been complete hell had they not been super fit. They are now staying in the North Downs. Some might say a little foolhardy to choose what is the highest part of South England as a stopover as it naturally meant a lot of almost perpendicular hills in order to get there. However, they made it and although thighs are aching, the adrenalin is pumping and they are raring to go for the last and final stint into London. 1pm Sloane Square, please be there if you possibly can to cheer them on.
Day 4: Au'revoir La France! The Cornell crew took the ferry to Newhaven and have done their first leg in England. Suddenly their trip felt rather less glamorous and both the hills and traffic were quite a challenge. Sarah is doing brilliantly and to their surprise, and hers, has cycled up every hill and is still on a complete high. We are planning the welcome home party at Oriels, Sloane Square. They are due in at 1pm on Friday 10th - please do come along if you possibly can along with a red or white balloon or wearing a red t-shirt. Day 3: S.O.S. from Cornell Crew: I quote "send urgently Dutch courage, refill of humour, bottle of pedal power and a new top of the range arse". Someone conned them when they were told there weren't any hills in Northern France! They have been cycling on the Route Verte today which is absolutely stunning. Less attractive however, Christopher and Bee apparently cycled topless due to the heat - I fear they may have given a few of the locals rather a fright! Day 2: 54 miles later, the Cornell Crew have made it through their 2nd day but I think are wondering what on earth they were thinking of taking on this challenge. Sarah was trying to be cool, doing a spot of free styling hands free and promptly fell off and has been banned from doing it again! However much to her surprise actually managed to pedal up all the hills, of which there were several very big ones. They have collapsed in a heap in a "moderately" comfortable hotel ready to take on another day. Day 1: The Cornell Crew have made it to their first destination all in one piece. They had a fantastic send off in Paris and were last spotted negotiating a terrifying 10 lines of traffic across the Arc de Triomphe. Sarah pumped the air, Kelly Holmes style, on arriving the other side! They collected Bee, who after partying 2 nights in a row was a little jaded but none-the-less she kept up with the pace. Sarah is being rationed tomorrow as she's slightly O.T.T from overdosing on a high energy carbohydrate drink other than that all in all a very good start to their challenge! Go Cornells go! ----------------------------------------------------------- On Sunday (September 5th) the three of us will set off on a bike ride from Paris to London. We're raising money for Africa's largest indigenous health organisation - AMREF (African Medical and Research Foundation) and most specifically The Boni Community who live deep in the forest in the Lamu District towards the Somali border in Kenya. They are hunters and gatherers living on roots, honey and nuts but it is no longer legal for them to hunt animals and so due to a combination of seasonal and agricultural factors they are on the verge of starvation. In the rainy season the dirt track road becomes virtually impassable and most of them do not have access to clean, safe water. A senior member of AMREF told us that, in his opinion, "They are amongst the most disadvantaged people on earth". Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure and a most efficient way to sponsor the us. If you are a tax payer an extra 28% will added to your gift at no cost to yourself. We would really appreciate your support...Something has got to help keep us pedalling and the thought that deep in Africa our efforts will save lives will really inspire us so if you possibly can please sponsor us as we embark on our ultimate bike ride!! Thank you so much. Christopher, Sarah and Bee