WE DID IT!!!

On the 2 January 2012, Paul decided that he wanted us to embark on a challenge to raise funds for Child Bereavement UK and in memory of our adored twins Betsy and William who were tragically killed in September 2004.  So he sent out a group email to friends to invite them to join us on a challenge to cycle from Crystal Palace in London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris over 3 days in early September a total of 180 miles.  For some reason 28 loonies signed up and then it all began.  Bikes and Lycra were brought on mass and training rides began in earnest.

 

Everyone became so involved, setting up donation pages, attending every planned cycle ride, the enthusiasm  was simply overwhelming.  So we all became very excited as the date approached.

 

We set off last Friday, leaving Crystal Palace at 9.15am heading through the back roads of London, leafy suburbs and finally making our way up and down the hills of the South Downs until we arrived 60 miles later at Newhaven.  We caught a late ferry to Dieppe, managed to snatch a couple of hours sleep and then we were off again heading toward Gourney En-bray (50 miles) to our next overnight stop.  Our final morning saw us leaving at 7 am, in the dark and freezing cold on our epic last leg heading towards Paris, 72 miles.  As the sun came up and burnt off the morning mist so our spirits lifted and the laughter began again.

 

4 miles outside of Paris we all regrouped and paired up in two's to be guided into central Paris.  Paul and I were asked to lead the team in which was such a wonderful honour.  The emotion was huge, everyone with their own story, their own journey their own life experience.  As we crossed over the finish line emotion from one extreme to another was released, it was amazing, truly inspirational and something that we will never ever forget.

 

We arrived home two days ago, on the 17 September 2012 to a hero's welcome at our local pub The White Hart in Maidens Green carefully organised by Phil and Jean the publicans.  Friends, family and all our children welcomed us home. It was fabulous to capture the magic of our trip, with 900 photos playing a big TV, the atmosphere buzzing.

 

The challenge has changed our lives, it was full of stomach aching laughter, tears, cuts. grazes, sore bottoms, camaraderie but most of all love from a bonded family of 28 loonys!  And just when it couldn't get any better we had the wonderful news that the amazing efforts of the team had raised a staggering 75k!!  Simply wonderful.

 

 

Paul and I would like to say a huge huge thank you to the whole team, you know who you are.  You have enriched our lives for ever, and help bereaved families at the most painful time in their lives.  Love you all.xx 

 

On the 27 September 2004, our beloved twins, Betsy and William were killed in a tragic accident at home.  Our lives were instantly devastated. Child Bereavement UK offered our family one to one support and gave us the lifeline to make survival possible.  They have continued to help us over the last 8 years and we are indebted to them.  We have since become Patrons of the charity and passionately support the incredible and vital support they offer to bereaved families at the most painful times in their lives.  

Betsy and William would have celebrated their 10th Birthday on 2 August this year, a milestone for any child and their parents.  In their memory and to raise much needed funds to support Child Bereavement UK, we have decided to do a charity cycle ride to Paris.

A group of 30 of our friends have also embarked on this challenge. So ................... We are cycling to Paris from Crystal Palace, leaving on 14th September, and ride over 3 days a total of just under 200 miles!  Now Paul is very good at cycling and really got the bug, me however, well, I'm scared of going too fast, too slow, up hill, down hill and the traffic petrifies me.  And turning right is a nightmare as it involves taking my hand off the handle bars! I also brake going down hill! I will do it, but I think I may come last! 

We are humbled that 30 other friends have chosen to join us, words fail us, we are truly truly grateful.  They have given up hours and hours to train, and endured many injuries, falls, cuts and grazes, and thats without the sore bottoms!

It would be fantastic if you could donate, all of our fundraising will go directly to the charity so it can continue with its invaluable work.

We really could not have continued on our journey without Child Bereavement UK, they have been amazing to us all.

Oh and lastly if anyone wants to buy my bike it will be on Ebay the day we return on 18 September at approximately 6pm. I don't think cycling is my thing! 

 

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