A thousand miles from Land's End to John O'Groats by tandem in 15 days. Father and son entirely focussed on the task together, having never before been in such close proximity for so long!
Planning. A year ago, Phil booked 3 weeks off work for July 2003. The booking was accepted but Phil wondered in his own mind just how he would manage the reality of taking 3 consecutive weeks in a very busy work schedule. Then Bristol to Snowdonia last Autumn. In January this year they hired a tandem in the Forest of Dean for a practice run. Whilst there they met friends from Bristol who very generously gave them the loan of a tandem for Land's End to John O'Groats. Amazing! A while later, another local friend volunteered to be their support driver should they have need of roadside help. Also amazing! More recently, Phil made the momentous decision to take voluntary redundancy. He finished work at the end of May. Tim finished his GCSE's mid June and so together they are putting together final preparations and building up the training miles. No more worries of work time pressures etc. Instead, a tremendous opportunity to get away, enjoy the challenge and leave behind the trauma and strain that has dominated the past months. What timing!
Sponsorship. The fun and challenge of the whole
event will have greater purpose if we can effectively
share it with others. With this in mind we have chosen
two charities: Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Bulgarian
Partners Trust. Our family has been touched by cancer.
When Grandma was dying she stayed at home where she
wanted to be. However, professional help was scarce and
when we needed help the most there was none available.
Our experience made us realise just how invaluable is the
practical nursing care provided by Marie Curie Nurses and
others in the home. We have a friend in Bristol who was
Marie Curie Nurse of the Year 2001-2002. She works
particularly with children and is just so dedicated. She
is thrilled that we are supporting the cause.
The Bulgarian Partners Trust is a relatively new Charity
set up to raise funds in the UK for Bulgarian relief
projects. We are privileged to know friends both here and
in Sofia involved in the cause of relieving human
suffering in a seriously deprived country still
struggling in the aftermath of communism. For more
information visit: www.mariecurie.org.uk /
www.bulgarianpartners.org.uk
Your Support. Phil and Tim have already
received much encouragement and support locally. However
we wanted to share news of their adventure with you, too.
Please do not feel obliged to do anything (indeed, they
will be cheered just to know you are thinking of them),
but if you would like the opportunity to support them in
any way - encouraging words, sponsorship, prayer - they
would love to hear from you, either by phone on 0117
9628662 or by email: p.catt@btinternet.com
Many thanks.