I’m riding my bike for 12 hours clocking up around 180 miles on a circuit around my home on VE Day wearing a homemade WWII Fighter Plane to fundraise for disability charity Leonard Cheshire Cymru during the Covid 19 crisis to help reduce the impact of loneliness and isolation through digital technology.

The charity was founded in 1948 by Dambuster leader and Victoria Cross recipient Leonard Cheshire and it seemed fitting to attempt the challenge on 8 May which is the 75^th Anniversary of VE Day. The charity now supports disabled people to live, learn and work as independently as they chose in over 54 countries. In Wales, that includes residential care, supported living services and various community projects and programmes.

I’ve been volunteering and fundraising for the Welsh arm for around 13 years, my wife Julie got me involved when she went to work for them as Wales Administrator. Mostly I support the team at Llanhennock Lodge, Newport.

Over the years I’ve completed various challenges, even organising and participating in a Wales wide bike ride Tour De Cymru in 2017 when the team raised a massive £27,000 for cycling around Wales via every Leonard Cheshire home. Aside of the fundraising achievement, what gave me so much joy was seeing all the residents, some of them even joining us for small parts of the journey using adapted bikes.  I had a lump in my throat on most days and it was hard to keep from bursting with pride with the efforts of all those who supported the event.

During the Covid 19 crisis I’ve been delivering much needed PPE to frontline services, going as far as the Dolywern service near Chirk in the north and as far west as the Ty Cwm and Supported Living services in Carmarthen.

I am so proud of the whole team in Wales, and by team, I mean everyone. Residents, EVERY single member of staff, the community teams and other volunteers. They are a real family, committed to each other and the work they do. They are all passionate about making a difference to the lives of disabled people. It is so humbling. 

I believe that there’s always someone worse off than me, that has been my mantra and motivator. I’m a big believer in do what you can to make a difference and bring joy to others. It’s a simple concept and one I stand by. So those of you who know me won’t be surprised to hear that I am, once again taking on a challenge to help others whose need is greater than my own and my ask is that you help me.

Thanks for taking the time to read my story. Donate what you can, no amount is too small and of course – no amount is too big! Ged x

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Our Covid 19 appeal is putting people first, through combating loneliness and isolation with technology. Protecting the health and wellbeing of the people we care for is our number one priority. While we are unable to meet in person, accept visitors or enjoy much longed for days out, we can still do all these things in the virtual world. Whether thats a facetime with loved ones, a Zumba Zoom or a virtual swim with turtles we are finding new and novel ways to keep positive and engaged. Lockdown for us all is a challenge but for the disabled people we support it can lead to them feeling isolated, increased loneliness and affect their overall mental health and well-being.However, we know not everyone living with a disability will have access to the kind of technology that is keeping us positive and connected in a very uncertain world.You can help us change that!