Bikes away – our spokesperson’s send off
“I am really excited to be joining colleagues and friends of The Openwork Foundation to take part in this year’s cycle challenge to raise money to support vulnerable children and adults in the UK and overseas.
Having completed my last charity marathon over 10 years ago, I thought training for this event would be a doddle but I’m now finding out what it feels like to have somebody relentlessly kicking you in the bottom of the hip bone for hours at a stretch – who knew it could be so fun? All of it will of course be worthwhile. All our eyes are on the end prize of raising as much money as possible to continue The Foundation’s work that can only be achieved with the ongoing generosity of its supporters right across The Openwork Partnership and beyond.
26 of us are heading for Sri Lanka on Saturday, aiming to cycle over 450 km during an intensive one-week ride through the rural backwaters, hills and valleys of this country which will be very unfamiliar to most of the group. All the riders have generously invested their own time and money to prepare and participate in this challenge which remains one of The Foundation’s key fundraising events of the year.
Please join me in wishing our group “bon voyage”, good weather, and a successful conclusion to what promises to be a difficult but inspiring week. The bottom line, so to speak, is to raise money for our nominated good causes so, if any of you would like to sponsor me or any of my fellow riders, please donate via the link below. With gift aid and Openwork’s 50% matching of donations, we want to break the £100,000 mark so please help us to hit our targets!”
Paul Mitchener - Chair of The Openwork Foundation
You can add your support by donating on our event page.