My mother Brigitte passed away very suddenly in August 2020. She has left a big hole for those that are left behind, but while she was with us she has filled so many with her intelligence, humour, generosity and overflowing love for those around her.

She also loved to travel and was deeply proud of her (and my) French and Alsacien roots. Since she passed away, I’ve had it in my head that I needed to mark her next journey properly, something that was not entirely possible at the time.

Her last wishes were for her ashes to be disturbed off the North Coast of Scotland, where my fathers ancestors came from. So, I’ve decided to take her there, on a bike!

Starting in Strasbourg on 7 April (Easter Friday). I shall be cycling around 1,500km over 13 days. I shall be stopping off at the following places, with friends and family joining me for a rides and giving me places to stay!!

The Route

1. Strasbourg

2. Saint-Avold

3. Luxembourg

4. Monschau

5. Amsterdam

6. Newcastle

7. Lindisfarne

8. Tyninghame

9. Perth

10. Newtonmore

11. Muir of Ord

12. Altnaharra

13. Dunnet

My mother was a passionate advocate of women’s rights and strongly believed in the power of education as a means to making the world a better place. That is why I have chosen CAMFED as a charity to support for those that wish to make a donation.

CAMFED

CAMFED envisions a world in which every child is educated, protected, respected and valued, and grows up to turn the tide of poverty.

As the most effective strategy to tackle poverty and inequality, CAMFED multiplies educational opportunities for girls and empowers young women to become leaders of change. Our focus is on girls and young women in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This is where girls face acute disadvantage and where their empowerment will have a transformative impact.