Sheila Webster
In Memory of Dave Hillam
Fundraising for Stroke Association
Story
Thank you one and all - total amount raised so far- £1,036.52 (including Gift Aid)
As you can see from the photos, I did manage to get a before photo at the start - but not an after one at the 'finish line'!
After beginning the event at 10.30am on 21st September 2008, I paired up with a fellow lone female Sunderland fan - Pat from Seaham. We took a few wrong turns and got a bit lost on a few occasions but always managed to get back on track - both metaphorically and cycling speaking!
After making our way through the Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel we bumped into a waif and stray (Miranda from Newcastle) who had been left by other cyclists for being too slow.
I then developed what I thought to be a puncture (but struggled on with a complete flatty for the next 4 miles or so - which actually turned out to be my valve breaking free completely from my inner tube ! Anyway after waiting an age for Peter the mechanic to get to me on his bicycle, he soon had me back on my padded gel saddle, and we made it to the Millenium Bridge (half way point).
The last nine miles were an absolute pain in the backside in every sense of the word - yet at 5.30pm we eventually made it to the 'finish' - saddle sore yet triumphant.
My absolute heartfelt gratitude goes to each and everyone who took the time to sponsor me on my 23 mile journey in memory of Dave Hillam raising vital funds for The Stroke Association.
Due to your overwhelming generosity I am now awaiting a lovely trophy to be sent, as I raised the most amount of money on the day - and a total of 87 hardy souls raised a total amount of £7,300.
Without the inspiration of Dave, and the wonderful amount of sponsorship you raised I wouldn't have made it to the finish line. The only reason I didn't get an 'after' photo is that most of the marshalls had packed up and gone home by the time we got back to the finish line (including taking the finish flag with them!).... but I do have a lovely certificate and medal and some lovely memories of the day.
Thanks again everyone - your support has been truly overwhelming - thank you from the bottom of my heart - God Bless Dave xx
My page is still taking donations - if you would like to donate retrospectively.
As you can see from the photos, I did manage to get a before photo at the start - but not an after one at the 'finish line'!
After beginning the event at 10.30am on 21st September 2008, I paired up with a fellow lone female Sunderland fan - Pat from Seaham. We took a few wrong turns and got a bit lost on a few occasions but always managed to get back on track - both metaphorically and cycling speaking!
After making our way through the Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel we bumped into a waif and stray (Miranda from Newcastle) who had been left by other cyclists for being too slow.
I then developed what I thought to be a puncture (but struggled on with a complete flatty for the next 4 miles or so - which actually turned out to be my valve breaking free completely from my inner tube ! Anyway after waiting an age for Peter the mechanic to get to me on his bicycle, he soon had me back on my padded gel saddle, and we made it to the Millenium Bridge (half way point).
The last nine miles were an absolute pain in the backside in every sense of the word - yet at 5.30pm we eventually made it to the 'finish' - saddle sore yet triumphant.
My absolute heartfelt gratitude goes to each and everyone who took the time to sponsor me on my 23 mile journey in memory of Dave Hillam raising vital funds for The Stroke Association.
Due to your overwhelming generosity I am now awaiting a lovely trophy to be sent, as I raised the most amount of money on the day - and a total of 87 hardy souls raised a total amount of £7,300.
Without the inspiration of Dave, and the wonderful amount of sponsorship you raised I wouldn't have made it to the finish line. The only reason I didn't get an 'after' photo is that most of the marshalls had packed up and gone home by the time we got back to the finish line (including taking the finish flag with them!).... but I do have a lovely certificate and medal and some lovely memories of the day.
Thanks again everyone - your support has been truly overwhelming - thank you from the bottom of my heart - God Bless Dave xx
My page is still taking donations - if you would like to donate retrospectively.