What was the motivation for this challenge?
That's easy to answer. A very close friend and colleague, Carol Gilbert, has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer. Carol is one of life's little gems and just doesn't know how to sit still. I felt I wanted to do something to raise money in Carol's name and being a non-bike riding 17 stone ex-rugby playing pen-pusher a 1000 mile cycling adventure seemed the obvious choice!!??
Adventure chosen, it was time to choose the right good cause to receive any money raised. A specific cancer charity was considered, but Carol and I were both of the opinion that the CHSW Precious Lives Appeal was the perfect charity as the work and dedication they put into making the most of short and precious lives is amazing.
The Precious Lives Appeal is specifically raising money for a new Children's Hospice to be built just outside St Austell in mid Cornwall. This is so important for the hundreds of families that currently need the services of Children's Hospice Southwest but currently have to travel to the nearest hospice, Little Bridge House in Barnstaple which is up to three hours away. A hospice in mid Cornwall will help to relieve stress, time and expense from the families of children with life limiting conditions. The land has already been donated and so far in excess of £1.6 million has been raised but the target is £5 million, so more needs to be done and with your help we can make steps to achieving the goal and giving children with life limiting conditions and their families easier access to the fantastic care that Children's Hospice South West provides.
Donating is so easy just click on the justgiving widget below and you will be taken straight through to my page on justgiving.com. You can pay safely and securely through this site. Please make sure, if you are a UK tax payer, you click the Gift Aid button as this means the government gives more money to the charity. Alternatively, you can make a cheque payable to Children's Hospice South West and send it to the address on the Contact Me page.
Thank you very much,
Gordon Leer
