peter gray

[p][b][u]11:30PM update[/u][/b][/p][p]Finished! Exhausted but elated. Thank you so much to everyone for their donations and support; it made it all worth while and a wonderful experience. Final time was 17 hours 57 minutes. Over and out.[/p][p][b][u]10:30PM update[/u][/b][/p][p]well, 190 miles in, just 10 to go! Feeling not too bad, in fact a bit exhilarated at the prospect of finishing soon. Has been an extraordinary experience for such a fantastic cause. [/p][p][b][u]6:45PM update[/u][/b][/p][p]Sorry for delay in 5PM update, but family admin staff went AWOL. Have now done 147 miles, everything a bit sore and legs feeling heavy but spirits kept up by watching Scottish classic rugby. Subject to admin staff availability, will give another report at 9PM.[/p][p][br][/p][p][b][u]1:30PM update[/u][/b][/p][p]91 miles in and the snack table is mounting high. All the magic lotions and potions recommended by friends are being used liberally. Sun still shining and the family say I am still smiling (just)! Next update at 5pm. [/p][p][b][u]9:30AM update [/u][/b][/p][p]Started at sunrise with the birds for company. Clocked about 40 miles now, almost finished a pack of jelly babies and discovering parts of the body I didn’t know existed. Sun is shining which is a great bonus. Further update at about 1pm![/p][p]————————————[/p][p]On Saturday I am going to be attempting to cycle 200 miles in less than 24 hours in an outdoors static cyclathon in my garden in a bid to raise funds for the National Bereavement Partnership COVID-19 Hub Response Appeal. Why do I wish to raise funds for this cause? Well, its importance was captured perfectly by its Chairman when he said recently that,[/p][p]“It is beyond doubt that we will be changed as a society by what we are presently all living through. But for some this time of collective claustrophobic confinement is made much, much worse by reason of also having to live with the reality of bereavement compounded by all the restrictions under which we are living at present creating a particularly complex, nuanced and (for some) problems requiring specialist support and advice to just get through.”[/p][p]The charity exists to provide information, advice and support to those affected by the crisis. Its aim is to alleviate the mental impact and distress caused directly or indirectly by the disease. A team of volunteers with the appropriate qualifications and skill sets, are available to listen to those in need, support callers in dealing with their bereavement or offer guidance in dealing with issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[/p][p]Is the solo cyclathon going to be a challenge? Well, I am 60, I have never cycled more than half a dozen times a year in the last 40, there has been virtually no training and the weather is not looking great; 200 miles in under 24 hours seems rather daunting at this precise moment!! [/p][p][br][/p]