Charity Bike Ride to Raise Awareness of Samaritans and funds for Samaritans Carlisle
After considering a number of ideas over a glass of wine or two Paul (my husband) and I decided to cycle from Land’s End to John O' Groats, during 2020 to celebrate our 60th birthdays, but due to COVID we decided to postpone it to 2021.
Earlier this year, not knowing when lockdown would finally be lifted, we agreed to complete half of the route, i.e Land’s End to Carlisle, virtually on our smart bike! According to Strava we cycled 532 miles and climbed 33,260 feet.
I am now going to complete the second half of the route from Carlisle to John O' Groats in person, for charity. It is approximately 500 miles, following mainly Sustrans routes, and I hope to cycle a minimum of 50 miles per day. I am too slow for Paul, so he is going to be my back up team.
I am completing this challenge to raise awareness of Samaritans, and raise funds for Samaritans Carlisle. Paul lost his only child, and my stepson, Steven, to suicide, and we know only too well the loss and heartbreak that is left behind.
I will set off from the Carlisle Samaritans branch at 10am on Thursday 2nd September 2021. If you are free, please come along and cheer me on.
You can donate via www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/samaritanscarlislebikeride
Thank you for your support,
Val & Paul xx