Charities
The aim of the Christian Blandford fund is to raise money for hospitals where sick children are treated. Often treatment is given under a "joint care" program where a specialist hospital such as Great Ormond Street or The Royal Marsden provides the main treatment and the local hospital is used if, for example, a child gets an infection. The specialist hospitals are usually far more comfortable and well equipped than the local NHS hospitals mainly due to extra funds from government and charity. We have chosen to raise money for local hospitals as we discovered during Christian's treatment that they needed it more.
Shooting Star CHASE is the children's hospice service, supporting local families with a child or teenager not expected to reach their 19th birthday. Shooting Star CHASE currently helps over 500 families living in western London, Surrey and West Sussex. We are committed to caring for these families. We are here for every step of their journey, sharing the good times, and helping them through the tough times with practical, nursing and emotional support. Families receive our support free of charge, 365 days a year, in their own homes and communities and at our children’s hospices. With no guaranteed Government funding we must raise £23,000 a day to continue our vital service. For more details, or to find out how you can help visit shootingstarchase.org.uk
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Mid-life Crisis......
As part of my mid-life crisis, instead of having an affair I have entered the Etape du Tour bike ride this year - 112 miles and 3 mountain climbs in the Pyrennes. Given that I weigh twice as much as a pro-rider and prefer a G&T to protein shakes, this is a major challenge for me. Last year over 20% of the riders taking part did not finish - this must not be confused with a bike ride you can just turn up and get through on the day. We will be riding for around 10 hours on the day in 30 degrees heat. I am doing this ride with my mate Rob Lucas and we have been training since January, lost some weight and put a lot of miles on the bike. We are funding the ride ourselves with all the money from this site going straight to two charities. Please please please can I ask that you help me raise as much money as possible for these two childrens charities which have affected families close to many of us:
Christian Blandford has been through cancer twice. At the age of 3, in 2004, he had a clear cell sarcoma of the kidney and it relapsed in late 2006 in a bone in his leg. He is currently in remission and is doing well. The aim of the Christian Blandford fund is to raise money for hospitals where sick children are treated. So far, all the money raised has been donated to St George's Hospital in Tooting which was the local hospital during Christian's treatment. Lucy is a childhood friend of Claudia, Christians mum.
St George's is also the Hospital where Nana Hancox was treated in 2008 for Wilms tumour. Amy,her mother and our close friend, is now heavily involved with this fund.
Lachlan Armitage was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Tay Sachs in June 2005 at the age of 11 months. Tragically he passed away in 2007, one day before his third birthday. Lachlan's parents set up the Lachlan Armitage Tribute Fund to ensure that his life, which has touched all those who have known and loved him, will enable the Fund to help and comfort other families who may have to bear similar experiences. The Fund entirely benefits CHASE which is a children's hospice in Guildford that helped care for Lachlan and which offers respite care and support to life limited children and their families , who are not expected to reach their 19th birthday. Ian Armitage, Lachlan's dad is a school friend and was a fellow Old Cat rugby player.
Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity's behalf where the donor is eligible for this. Please make sure you give gift aid where you can.
I really appreciate all your support and thank you for your donation.
Recent donors
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Michael & Wendy Myers £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 21.08.10 Good luck Peter |
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Richard M £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 14.08.10 |
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Jonathan+Robert+Futon Company £750.00 13.08.10 We'd have given a bit more if you had really made a bit more of an effort and really put your back into it. After all that big talk we didn't expect you to just dawdle along |
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Andy, jus, robbie & justin £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 13.08.10 crackers - but yet slighlty envious of your achievement. well done... andy, jus, robbie & justin |
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Luke & Amelia £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 27.07.10 So sorry only just remembered to sponsor you! Blimey were we impressed!!! Hope you have recovered and are now over your mid life crisis! Lots of love Luke & Amelia xx |
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Richard B £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 27.07.10 well done Pete, here's you "finishers" bonus as promised! - so what is next years challenge?! |
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Frances £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 26.07.10 Well done. |
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David Foster £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 24.07.10 Anyone who signs up to do Tourmalet in L'Etape must be mad or very brave! Well done...thought Bradley Wiggins made a meal of it! |
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Graham & Debbie £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 23.07.10 An epic feat for a 40.5 year old - well done ! |
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Anonymous £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 22.07.10 |
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Betty Bo £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 21.07.10 Well done Peter |
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William Powell £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 21.07.10 well done Peter. trust you are not too saddle sore after 10 hours |
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Max Summerskill £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 21.07.10 Well done Pete. If I fall asleep when you tell me all about it, just move on to boring whoever's next to me |
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John, Sam & Em (Canadian & Portland) £300.00 20.07.10 Well done Peter, a magnificent achievement. 8 days 6 hours and 04 secs before you get back on your bike! |
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Shirley & Peter £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 20.07.10 Well done P xx |
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Stephen plus Liz ,Holly and Flynn x £100.00 (+ £28.21 giftaid) 18.07.10 Bon chance mon brave... |
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Simon £25.00 17.07.10 Pete good luck mate..... a deserving cause...there will be a beer waiting for you when we catch up..... Later Crumpo.x |
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Chris Mowatt £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 17.07.10 Radders - you are a legend! 8064 is the number of days after this before you get on the bike again! Good luck mate and enjoy - it's a great experience really! |
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Sheila & David Mowatt £25.00 (+ £7.05 giftaid) 17.07.10 Good luck, Peter. |
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Tim and Bridget Thomas £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 16.07.10 A grandson just climbed the 4 UK peaks in 4 days with a mate and a dog. But he's 16. I think you're crazy - but good on you. (its the distance you cycled in training) |
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Chris Lee £250.00 (+ £70.51 giftaid) 16.07.10 Best of luck from all at Lucas Lee for a real challenge. Clearly 8.6.04 is a date - June 8th 2004 the silhouette of Venus crossed the face of the Sun as seen from Earth. Could be. |
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Neil and Jane £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 16.07.10 All the best Big Man, go easy on those down-hills - I've seen your wayward driving! Neil and Jane |
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Oliver and Erica £100.00 (+ £28.21 giftaid) 15.07.10 Go on big boy! |
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Greavsie & Lisa £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 15.07.10 Total calories (technically kcals) that a rider burns doing the stage. Which is about 45 pints! |
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Chewy £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 15.07.10 Get naked at the top and Ill double it |
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Peter at Lasgo £100.00 (+ £28.21 giftaid) 15.07.10 You are obviously as mad as a hatter to undertake this challenge - but we are very happy to support such worthy causes |
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Jacki and Roger £25.00 (+ £7.05 giftaid) 14.07.10 Good luck Peter. Good luck, Peter |
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Phil Harding £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 14.07.10 I thought you were doing well still playing Rugby at your age......... 8.604 must be your 100M time (on a bike). Good Luck |
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Sue £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 14.07.10 Good luck Peter - I hope you make it. 8602 is the number of g&t's you have given up to do this! |
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Hugo Pile £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 14.07.10 Good luck Pete! Daily calorie intake when on the bike slugging up hills/mountains... |
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Roger W £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 14.07.10 I thought 86 04 might be department numbers, from and to, but looking at a map that would be far sillier than riding up the Tourmalet. Go carefully! |
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Growler £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 14.07.10 Good luck Radders. You're a star! |
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nick, jill, el and max £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 14.07.10 8604 - the number of hairs left on your head, or would that be exaggerating? Good luck! |
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Mark, Simon & David from L&O £150.00 (+ £42.31 giftaid) 14.07.10 Good luck mate - you only need to worry when you look down and realise that your saddle has disappeared up your backside. Careful when you sit down. All the best from L&O. |
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Matt Storr £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 14.07.10 Good Luck Pete. Will join you next time........maybe! |
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John W S Bateson £51.00 (+ £14.38 giftaid) 14.07.10 Good Luck Peter , Just think of this as a warm up for the Marmotte next year!!!! |
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Anonymous £30.00 (+ £8.46 giftaid) 14.07.10 Good Luck Pete |
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David Stanley £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 14.07.10 you will have to take the stabilisers off!! good luck DS |
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Amie Williams £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 14.07.10 All the best for Sunday x |
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Anonymous £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 14.07.10 Wow - this is an amazing feat!! 8604... the number of different swear words you will utter on your journey!! Best of Luck Pete, Daz, Kaz and Abs xxx |
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Jon, Lisa & Scarlet £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 14.07.10 Go 'Boss Bulky'!!! Best of luck Radders - i'm sure you will breeze it........ |
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Paul and Paula £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 14.07.10 Best of luck Pete - so is this a bit harder than the London to Brighton then........? |
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Westers £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 14.07.10 Top effort Radders. 8.604mm the size that the old chap shrinks to after 8 hours in the saddle?? |
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Matt collard £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 14.07.10 |
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Gordon and Marje £200.00 (+ £56.41 giftaid) 13.07.10 We expect the yellow jersey after all this pedal power ................. good luck |
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Claire, David, Sophie and Henry x £100.00 (+ £28.21 giftaid) 13.07.10 Definitely a lot easier than giving birth so you'll be fine!! Pedal Forest Pedal! Good luck |
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Jon Silversides £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 13.07.10 Peter What a shame your not doing this in the Alps as we're on holiday near Morzine and I could have come along for a laugh/sorry give support. All the best and don't worry that most of your competitors will be half your weight! |
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Kevin Eldershaw £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 13.07.10 Always knew that you had a screw loose. Well done and good luck. |
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Chris Underwood £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 13.07.10 Mad as cheese but great effort for great cause. I reckon 8604 either the amount of calories consumed per day or pints you had before agreeing to do it....... |
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Alan Parkes £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 13.07.10 Good riding Radders. It is certainly not the number of points you have scored in rugby. Could be the frequency of your favourite radio station. |
