Support our nominated charities

OK we'll admit it. The main reason we are doing this trip is for the personal challenge of raising our fitness levels while having a tour of the country. But it is a challenge, and we would equally like to raise a little money for our chosen charities, so we would kindly ask if you would like to make a donation, please do so here:

Naturally, we won't be using the donations to pay for the youth hostels we'll be staying in, the countless chocolate bars and energy drinks we'll be consuming or the bikes and gear we've purchased, all your generous donations will go to our nominated charities. You can find out more about them below.

If you are also able to help us with this trip in-kind then please do let us know. Accommodation en-route, jerseys and advice are all very welcome!!

Acorn's Childrens' Hospice - Nav

“I wanted to assist a smaller local charity and ideally to help children if possible. There really isn’t more local than half a mile away from my home in Selly Oak, Birmingham! I still have a rather vague memory of when Acorns opened their first children’s hospice back in 1988 though I don’t think I fully appreciated the work they did at my tender age. Aston Villa have supported Acorns in recent seasons and helped provide them with a higher profile. I felt it would be nice if I could do my little bit locally.”
- Kumaran Navaratnarajah (Nav)

“Established in 1988, Acorns Children's Hospice Trust is a registered charity offering a network of care for over 500 life limited and life threatened children and young people and providing support for their families across the heart of England. These children and young people are not expected to reach adulthood and require specialist care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Acorns is the only organisation that provides this level of care to these vulnerable youngsters whilst offering a range of support services to the whole family to help them cope at every stage of their child's life and beyond into bereavement.

We provide tailored nursing care for each child; short breaks, emergency and end-of-life care at each of our three hospices.”

Find out more at http://www.acorns.org.uk

Epilepsy Action - Ray

"Throughout my life, I've been fortunate enough to not have to had to rely on a the good work done by the thousands of wonderful charities out there. I therefore don't have a charity that is particulary close to my heart. However, there are people close to me to that do, so it is for that reason I have chosen Epilepsy Action."
- Ray Pang

"Epilepsy Action is the largest member-led epilepsy organisation in Britain, acting as the voice for the UK's estimated 456,000 people with epilepsy, as well as their friends, families, carers, health professionals and the many other people on whose lives the condition has an impact.

As well as campaigning to improve epilepsy services and raise awareness of the condition, we offer assistance to people in a number of ways including a national network of branches, accredited volunteers, regular regional conferences and freephone and email helplines."

Find out more at http://www.epilepsy.org.uk

Palliative Care East - Gerald

“My motivation for choosing this charity was initially to do with my own families close links with the NHS and my mother’s unhealthy obsession of helping anyone and everyone; I can’t be more proud of and praise her enough – where does she get the time and energy?
I wanted to assist with this local charity in my own way and help them achieve their goal of achieving the funding to construct this important facility for the local community. I felt it would be nice if I could in some way do my little bit.”
- Gerald Knights

“Palliative care supports patients and families whose lives are affected by incurable illness such as cancer or motor neurone disease.

A holistic approach to care helps patients and families to come to terms with the situation and to live out the time that remains as fully as possible.

Palliative care is not just about effective pain management and symptom relief but also offers emotional, spiritual and practical support.

The Palliative Care East appeal supports the development of a palliative care centre on the grounds of the James Paget hospital in Gorleston which will cost £1.5m. The centre will be an outpatient, visitor and family support centre for patients and families with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.”

Find out more at http://www.palliative-care-east.org.uk/