Story
I was challenged to raise money for Oxfam having heard an excellent speaker at a business breakfast specifically challenging business owners to think about what they could do outside of their work for Oxfam. I did in fact spend almost 10 years living and working in Uganda so I am well aware of Oxfam's work. We were based in a hospital in Kampala and whatever the rights and wrongs of some aid projects, the alleviation of pain and treatment of the sick is beyond doubt an essential right for everyone.
What am I doing? Cycling from London to Edinburgh and back again. It is an event that takes place every 4 years (probably because it takes us all at least 3 years to recover!) and it is a timed event so the distance has to be done within 5 days. I shall be setting off on Sunday morning and need to finish by Friday morning - that does mean a fair amount of cycling through the night and very little sleep. I aim to average 300-400 kilometres a day, but the problem is the longer you cycle the slower you get so it takes you longer to do the distance - which means less sleep and so you become more tired...
Anyway I am doing it so you don't have to!
Oxfam may be a big charity and you may feel it doesn't need your donation, but it is called upon whenever there is a major emergency and is also committed to long term small scale developments all over the world. Your money does matter.
Please give generously and remember to make sure the tax is also recovered.
Thanks
I HAVE NOW DONE IT!
I cycled 1420km from London to Edinburgh & back setting off Sunday morning and arriving back in London Thursday evening. It was a great expereince, fantastic organisation, hundreds of willing,enthusiastic and encouraging helpers at all the controls and a great group of riders. Over 60% were from overseas. The scenery at times was mind blowing - Yad Moss at dawn. the Scottish borders. Starting each day at 3.00 or 4.00am has its bonus points!
I ate loads in theory using 6000 calories a day and cycled on average 18 hours a day. Feel great - ready to do it again!
Please sponsor me if you havent already done so as then it makes the ride even more worth while
Many thanks