On Sunday 30th May 2021, I’ll cycle 65 miles around Suffolk for charity. 

Bear in mind, this is literally like cycling to the moon and back. (If the moon was 32.5 miles away...) It’s also a bit like the equivalent of having to overtake 232,460 average sized magpies all queued up in a row. Forget about the bigger ones. Basically it’s going to be a tough one. But I’ll try not to be distracted if/when I do pass them.

The actual event is called RIDE Suffolk 2021, and has been set up to raise money for Action Medical Research. But I’d also like to raise money separately for another brilliant charity, Samaritans who, now more than ever, need all of our help.

Samaritans is a wonderful and vital charity. Being able to speak to someone completely anonymously, just “venting”, can be incredibly helpful to somebody who may perhaps be going through one of the worst patches of their lives. Sometimes it’s wonderful to lean on our friends and loved ones for support in times of need. But I think there are other times when some people might just need a completely unknown, but friendly voice and open ear on the other end of a phone, 24/7. Listening without any judgment or prior knowledge of that caller’s particular circumstances. I can empathise with, and relate to, how that might make opening up and being truly honest just that little bit easier. 

I don’t think there’s a particular need for me to go into the personal details or circumstances leading me to want to raise money for Samaritans. However, it is absolutely a charity that I perhaps could have benefited from in the past had I been more aware of it at the time.

There’s a link on this page to their website. From there you will understand just how much pressure they are under right now, under the current circumstances. I would therefore like to be able to help them cope with the higher demand they’re facing in any way I can.

My longest training ride at the time of writing this is now 59 miles and that was a real grind! So any and all donations will also really help spur me on and keep me motivated! Also, if you’re on Strava, please find and follow me there (I’m under Wayne Beadle-Phelps, imaginatively). Track my training, but more importantly, give me a kick when you notice I should be getting out there again!

Anything you do kindly donate goes directly to Samaritans, who are linked in on this page.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. I‘ve been advised that I’ve been too “flowery” with my words here. I’m sure though that Shakespeare must have received similar feedback and things turned out alright for him.

I, but more importantly, Samaritans, would really appreciate anything you feel like you can offer.