Paris to Cardiff Charity Bike Ride:

North to South Wales in 2011 was an absolute doddle. This year a stronger bunch of unfit business men and women are going to climb new heights and take on greater barriers.

Now is the time to stand up and be counted people in our momentous challenge of a Paris to Cardiff charity bike ride.

The Challenge:

We're gonna fly to Paris via an Easyjet flight from Bristol on Saturday the 8 Sept. Then start the ride the following morning.

Day 1 - Sunday 9th. Paris to Amien 77 miles

Day 2 - Monday 10th. Amien to Cologne (just outside Calais) 89 miles Overnight stop for Channel crossing following early morning

Day 3 - Tuesday 11th. Dover to Reigate 80 miles

Day 4 - Wednesday 12th. Reigate to Hungerford 69 miles

Day 5 - Thursday 13th. Hungerford to Cardiff 86 miles

A total of 401 miles. Easy.

Team Members:

James Emery, Dale Williams, Mike Gorshkov, Mike Jordan, James Howells, Dean Cutler, Joe Flynn, Rob Holt, Andrew Parker, Debbie Cutler, Renne Howells & Physio - Pete Cumpstone

Background Information on St David's Hospice Care

St David's Hospice Care provides free community-based hospice care to people with cancer or any other life threatening illness living within Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and in South and Mid Powys. Last year they cared for 940 patients and their families in Caerphilly/ 705 in Monmouthshire/ 777 in Newport/ 591 in Torfaen.

In addition to the four teams of Clinical Nurse Specialists, St. David's has a 'Hospice at Home' team of nurses and healthcare assistants who provide hands-on care and support. St David's also has a Rapid Response service to ensure that their patients can receive care very quickly should their condition deteriorate.

Further support is provided by their Family Support Team, comprising of social workers, welfare rights advisers, children's support worker, counsellors, bereavement support and complementary therapists. We have three Day Hospices, one near Pontypool, one in Ystrad Mynach and one in Brecon, as well as two Resource Centres, one in Caldicot and one in Monmouth. The fourth Day Hospice, which will be based in Newport, will be opening later this year.

St. David's Hospice Care provides patients with real choice about where they receive their care and where they spend their final days. Unfortunately, this does have financial implications for the Charity. It costs St. David's approximately £5.5 million each year to provide their services, and they receive less than 18% of their funding from the statutory sector. They have 30 charity shops, a weekly lottery and organise fundraising events which all contribute much needed funds.

Thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail. Please support us by donating here and leaving a message of support. It would be great to see you on our return to Cardiff (Details to follow).

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