Pedal for Pounds 9 – Keep It Up Campaign
Thank you to everyone who supported Vanessa and I with our fundraising as part of the Keep it Up Campaign.
We arrived back in Huddersfield on Saturday 12th May after far too many hours on the saddle and it would be true to say that the cycle was challenging, but also immensely rewarding.
There were certainly tough moments, but everyone dug deep and the words of support received absolutely spurred us on to finish. The side winds and unexpected climbs – particularly the route on Day 1 heading up to the striking Thiepval Memorial – led me to soon learn that the messages of ‘just 10miles left’ and ‘no more climbs after this one’ were the work of fiction from our fabulous team leader!
Throughout the cycle and to mark 100 years since the end of WWI, we paid remembrance at the graves of six Huddersfield Town players who gave their lives…and as sad as it was, I was humbled to be asked to lay flowers on behalf of the club at the grave of Sidney James, Lance Corporal, 9th Battalion, Kings Own Light Infantry who died on 9 April 1914 at St Martin sur Cojeul. The sight of so many memorials and immaculately maintained cemeteries was something I hadn’t fully anticipated and it made the ride more than just a physical challenge. We were also given the privilege to participate in the Last Post at The Menin Gate in beautiful Ypres, which is something we will not forget.
Any further support to the hugely worthwhile charities noted below would be immensely appreciated as they all rely on the support of the public to maintain their valuable services:-
- Yorkshire Air Ambulance;
- Huddersfield Town’s Foundation : who seek to improve the lives of young people in the Huddersfield area;
- The Holly Bank Trust : who support and care for children and adults via their special school, residential homes and adult activity programmes; and
- The Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice : who provide support, love and laughter to children and young people with life-shortening conditions.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/vanessa-lee6
Thank you once again – please be assured that there will be no further fundraising requests from us (certainly not until P4P10 next year) as the generosity shown for this has been amazing.
Best wishes
Christopher and Vanessa
