Simple really .... because Dad did it.
Initially I decided to do this to carry on where Dad left off. He did the challenge in 2007 to raise money for Acorns, and he was going to do it again in 2009 - ironically he was due to start the very week that his cancer diagnosis was confirmed in 2009. When he had been signing up for that second trip he suggested that i should do it with him - and i'm afraid that my response was to laugh!!! Why on earth would we do it together? Can you imagine how much we'd shout at each other as we slogged up the hills?!?!! ... was the gist of it ...
I wish i'd responded differently! However I hadn't been on a bike for years and was working ridiculously long hours, mainly sitting at computers and in meetings... the notion that i could cycle from Lands End to John O Groats was simply crazy!!
Anyway - shortly after his funeral i decided that i would do the ride ... in honour of him, and to continue to raise money for Acorns which he was a strong supporter of... so that's where this came from, an emotional daughter doing something for her Dad.
That hasn't changed, but what has grown alongside is a real desire to raise money for Acorns. They are an amazing organisation - and in an era of funding cuts and budget challenges - offer an extraordinary service to families going through the most difficult of times. In 1988 they opened the 3rd children's hospice in the world - and have now opened 3 10 bed hospices in the Midlands - where they offer children and their families a home from home, with 24 hour care ... whilst they deal with life threatening illnesses. As well as traditional hospice 'end of life' care, they provide respite/ short-break and emergency care during illnesses.
I'm not a parent myself - but i've seen, and can imagine - how devastating it is to have a child with such serious illness. I would hope that access to Acorns (or something similar) were available and accessible to everyone - very importantly- in order that they can ensure that their support is accessible to everyone- there are no charges for the families that use their services ... so they have to raise the funds to keep going ...
These are the things that i will be thinking of as i struggle up the hills...
... That during my cycle 3 families will be going through the loss of their child / brother / sister / nephew /niece /grandchild /friend - Acorns will be alongside them supporting them and caring for them...
... That it costs £750/day for each child's care.... so far i've raised almost 6 days worth of care (including gift aid!!!) ... I would so love to make it to 10 or more.
.... For every £1 that Acorns receive ... 88p is spent on the direct care and services that the families require... only 12p in 'back office' costs - that's pretty amazing for an organisation that has to find its own funding!
.... That i'm pretty sure that Dad was thinking of similar things...
Have a look at their website you never know... you might find yourself getting on a bike or doing an equally 'crazy' thing!!!
And with that ... i'm off out on the bike!!!
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