During the pandemic the disabled residents of Leonard Cheshire's care home 'Gloucestershire House' have engaged in long-distance virtual cycling challenges thanks to access to a couple of therapy bikes and, latterly, when restrictions have lifted - the Leonard Cheshire 'Wheels for All' inclusive cycling scheme. The mental and physical health benefits of cycling are many and, over the last year or so, cycling challenges have been a tremendous boost to morale as well as supporting physiotherapy and fitness goals. These essential therapy bikes however are in need of constant maintenance and now also replacement.

Our 'Going for Gold' team is fundraising to help with these replacement costs and, on 16th June launched its biggest challenge yet - cycling (virtually of course) to Tokyo in the spirit of the Paralympics - that's an incredible 5,961 miles! The Gloucestershire House team are joined in this challenge by some fantastic team members - students and staff from Cheltenham Ladies' College and Cheltenham College, and staff, volunteers and friends of Leonard Cheshire. We are indebted to all our team members for giving of their time this summer and autumn to take part in the challenge. As this is a virtual challenge, and some of it takes place during school holidays, this will be a truly international event, taking place in several countries - Paralympics-style! 

Our challenge has continued throughout (and far beyond!) the 4-week period of the 'At Home Superheroes' event - powered by Marvel. But, as restrictions have continued for many of our participants, no thanks to Covid, we have necessarily had to take longer to complete our challenge. Access to opportunities to cycle have been impacted upon by the pandemic and this highlights all the more just why this  therapy bike is so important. 

BUT, just like Paralympic champions, we do not give up on a challenge, and we are determined to see this through to the end goal, however long it takes! Thank you to everyone who continues to support us with morale-boosting and fundraising on our Going for Gold journey - it truly will be a triumph when we pass the finish line! 

If you'd like to keep up-to-date with our progress, please follow us on this page, where we have posted updates, and please support our team via our Leonard Cheshire Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/LeonardCheshireGloucestershire

THANK YOU so much for your support. Donations of ANY size are welcome. From all the Going For Gold Team who are: 

Dave Evans, Sarah Grout, Charlotte James, Tim James, Jon Smith, Tom Fowler, Paula Merriman, Rebecca Oliver, Gretl Harmer, Luigi Carenza, Charlotte Furnell, Steve Harmer, Sue Willis, Helen Forrest, Sian Jenkins, Brigid Nunan, Lizzie Young, Paul Mansfield, Nick Taylor, Beth Jordan, Matthew Miles, Chris Mathias, Adam Collings, Bea Flynn, Zara Tse, Anastasia Toha, Yu (Joy) Xia, Bethan Coupland, Elizabeth Storrs-Fox, Sophie Coleridge, Piers Baker, Piotr  Slawinksi, Tim Griffiths, Stephanie Midwinter, Julia Hande, Sophie Fowler, Oleander Hall, Molly Krauer, Andrew Grout, Simon James-Clark