Charity
Help for Heroes (H4H) was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry after a profoundly moving visit to Selly Oak Hospital in the summer of 2007. Bryn and Emma met some extraordinarily brave young people who had been badly wounded and they just wanted to do something to help. "It’s about the blokes, our men and women of the Armed Forces. It’s about Derek, a rugby player who has lost both his legs, it’s about Carl whose jaw is wired up so he has been drinking through a straw. It’s about Richard who was handed a mobile phone as he lay on the stretcher so he could say goodbye to his wife. It’s about Ben, it’s about Steven and Andy and Mark, it’s about them all. They are just blokes but they are our blokes; they are our heroes. We want to help our heroes."
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Land's End - John O'Groats: Help for Heroes
Well, that's done! But more donations are always welcome so this page will stay open for a last few weeks.
The final rolling average from Mike's bike computer was 15.42 mph. My top speed was just over 80kmh. We cycled 929 miles in 60 hrs 14 minutes. We kept a blog so if you want to read about the ups and the downs, both physical and metaphorical, please visit http://lejogdocs.blogspot.com. There's more photos there too.
The original text with more background appears below.
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We all know Help for Heroes. An amazing charity, working for amazing people.
After a few beers in the pub in early December 2012, Mike and Justin thought it would be a good idea to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats. Unfortunately, the next morning we hadn't forgotten and it was too late to back out. And as we could only fit in one week's holiday, it was all going to have to include some frighteningly long days. Even taking a short (and less scenic) route, we're up for 120 miles a day.
So I've decided that the best thing to do is dedicate the ride to a great cause, Help for Heroes.
All the support to date has been terrific, and hugely encouraging. Route and logistics planning is nearly completed. More details will follow. We have professional cycle tour organisers Skedaddle (www.skedaddle.co.uk) providing technical and nutritional support all the way. We'll welcome support in person too, if anyone wants to ride a stage or half stage with us.
Many thanks to everyone who has supported me so far, through this site (listed below) or by CAF and bank cheques and cash. Thanks in particular to RP and SP for their staggeringly generous support.
Mike is raising money for Deafness Research UK http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/LEJoGSMART.
And to the taxi driver who heard all about it on the way home on 15 February, and handed me back a fiver towards the fund - thanks! He wasn't the only one. Further taxi drivers have done the same. I've had some alternative business cards printed up (via Vistaprint) to promote the ride and this website. And some donors may get sent a thank you Help for Heroes badge.
Justin
Help for Heroes (H4H) Event ID: 30120127-9563-9884. For donations by cheque, please also let me have a gift aid form - the H4H form is available at www.helpforheroes.org.uk/downloads/GIFTAID_FORM.pdf
Nerd section: I'll be on a Giant Defy Advanced 1 2011 (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.advanced.1/7841/45445/) with Fisik R3 (44 R and 43 L) + SPD SLs (http://www.fizik.it/product.aspx?c=R3_red) on a setup by Cyclefit (www.cyclefit.co.uk). It's done one 235km ride so far, so it's up and ready for it. My travelling tool kit includes an Alien II, one tube, a tyre boot, and a mech hanger. There's a spare spoke tucked in the handlebars which tension will straighten out if it's needed. Nutrition by Torq, Go and bananas. My backup bike is a Giant TCR Team Once 2003. Thanks to Assos chamois cream for making the ride a physical possibility.
Recent donors
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Phil £16.00 (+ £4.00 giftaid) 18.09.12 Dashed good stuff! |
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Carryn Vincec £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 12.09.12 Congratulations - a great effort for a great cause! |
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Anonymous £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 11.09.12 |
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Dr Barry Grimaldi £100.00 (+ £25.00 giftaid) 11.09.12 |
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Ruth £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 10.09.12 Two great charities. Well done both! |
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Kat Westall £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 08.09.12 You're running out of cycle challenges! Time to take up BMXing... A great cause and an even greater effort - well done! |
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Keith Adam The Clockhouse and the Farmer £72.00 (+ £18.00 giftaid) 07.09.12 Keep cycling! |
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R Clack £50.00 (+ £12.50 giftaid) 07.09.12 |
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Brian Cordery £30.00 (+ £7.50 giftaid) 05.09.12 Don't push yourself too hard Justin. This is not a rowing contest |
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Janet £100.00 (+ £25.00 giftaid) 02.09.12 Justin. Keep right on to the end of the road. We'll be watching you every step (sorry pedal) of the way. |
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Leigh Dworkin £50.00 (+ £12.50 giftaid) 01.09.12 Good luck! I did manage to cycle from Cambridge to Edgware once, and then immediately over to your house, but that was a looong time ago. I salute your efforts! You do nothing by halves... |
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Anonymous £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 01.09.12 Friend of Mike's mum but as our son is in the forces we'd like to donate to Help for Heroes. You'll be heroes yourselves when you complete the cycle ride. |
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Jill Hoseason £50.00 (+ £12.50 giftaid) 31.08.12 I recommend that you grab a Dalmore malt as you whiz by that neck of the woods. It will help a few miles pass more pleasurably! Best of luck. |
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Kristy Duncan £15.00 (+ £3.75 giftaid) 30.08.12 Justin I don't know how you do it. 120 miles a day, 8 days on the trot? You're mad. Good luck and well done! |
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Taryn Strong £16.00 (+ £4.00 giftaid) 29.08.12 Good luck Justin! Pay the power of the Wiggo be with you. |
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Ruth Kelly £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 29.08.12 Good luck! |
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Mark Rawlinson £100.00 (+ £25.00 giftaid) 28.08.12 Good luck. |
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Andrew Sheridan £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 28.08.12 Good luck Justin |
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James Wood £100.00 (+ £25.00 giftaid) 28.08.12 I hope you enjoy the ride. I hope the weather and prevailing winds are kind to you. |
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john flather £20.00 27.08.12 Good luck |
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marcus £250.00 (+ £62.50 giftaid) 24.08.12 Best of luck |
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Anonymous £50.00 (+ £12.50 giftaid) 23.08.12 |
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Sarah Falk £100.00 (+ £25.00 giftaid) 23.08.12 Good luck |
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Neil Radford £200.00 22.08.12 Cycle on, heroes! |
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Dy Nissen £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 22.08.12 Give it horns Justin .... |
