james goldsmith
James Goldsmith and Toby Chapman's page for Club Peloton
Fundraising for Club Peloton
Story
I'm going to try (!) and keep this brief. I am somehow committed towards fundraising for two causes. Both important and personal. For different reasons. Firstly, Cycling to MIPIM, a 1500km distance to Cannes. On behalf of Club Peloton. This with my Marathon des Sables friend and running legend (at least as far as the rest of us were concerned!), Toby Chapman. Then a few weeks later running the London Marathon on behalf of the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) in Putney.
This is the Club Peloton page. There's another page set up for RHN. Copy and paste to your browser a link here:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-goldsmith5
Many know the story. Last year, my wife Claire was hit by a car whilst on a cycling training ride. Airlifted immediately to St George's Hospital in Tooting, she now resides at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney. In a state of minimal consciousness. For all the brilliant care, prospects for any sort of future quality of life now lies in the hands of they who can work miracles. So it's fair to say that expectations are managed. 2020 will present all sorts of challenges. Perhaps even more than 2019. Our daughter Naomi set up a blog:
https://www.callingabout.org.uk/profiles/claire-goldsmith/about/
Apart from being a mother, wife and photographer, Claire was also a competitive endurance cyclist and runner. And had serious fundraising pedigree. Not necessarily the amount, but her values and how she went about it. With the unbeknown support of Dame Vera Lynn and Baroness Rosie Boycott, she was introduced to then PM Tony Blair. So a bit to live up to here!
Why the charities? Club Peloton is primarily a real estate sponsored charity, committed towards raising funds for children-related causes. Notably Coram. Seeking equality and the best chances for a happy, independent and fulfilled life. Beyond everything else, Claire's life was about children; believing in and releasing their wonderful potential. And after all, the next generation has a lot of our problems to sort out! The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disabilty is an extraordinary place and charity. One that I never knew existed though must have been past many times. Adult brain injury is not glamorous. And the effects on the patients and their families are profound and challenging. Living somewhere in a space between grief and hope (a space we're still trying to think of a name for!). I, her family and friends are overwhelmed every time that we visit Claire. Apart from the funds, this place deserves recognition for the brilliant people who work there.
That is the brief story then. And I hope that I haven't confused things by setting up individual pages for two separate charities. You choose. Thank you for reading. And even better, thank you for supporting.
James, on behalf of Claire's family and friends.
