Job Done...it was a memorable and exciting experience. One that I hope to take part in again next year! If you're thinking of having a go, why not join me? Anything and everything is possible - if even I can do it, then so can YOU!!
80th Birthday L2B Celebration
Event date:
John Hutton is raising money for DEBRA
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My story
If you're fortunate enough to be in working condition on your 80th Birthday, that is reason enough to celebrate, but I decided to add another dimension by contributing to a charity fund raising event.
My choice is the London to Brighton cycle ride on 15th June and my chosen charity is Debra. I was introduced to Debra through an appeal made by the well known football manager, Graeme Souness on a breakfast TV channel. It made such an impact on me that I felt I had to get involved.
Debra supports people who live with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB for short). It is a rare inherited genetic condition that causes skin and mucous membranes to become fragile and blister simply from minor injuries like heat, rubbing or scratches. The blisters are large, incredibly painful and can be fatal. Children with EB are known as "Butterfly Children" because their skin is as delicate as a butterfly wing.
Debra is a UK national charity dedicated to supporting people living with EB and plays a pivotal roll in the EB medical research programme. They are committed to making sure that every person living with EB in the UK , their families and carers receive the vital and wide- ranging support they need.
Thank you for reading this and I sincerely hope you will feel able to make a contribution towards Debra. As they say - every penny counts and every penny will be spent wisely!
Not having ridden a bicycle for 50 years, I have a lot of catching up to do and I'm sticking to a daily training programme to make sure I succeed with the challenge!
Thank you for checking out my page. Making a donation is fast, easy and secure thanks to Give as you Live Donate. They'll take your donation and pass it onto DEBRA.
My updates
Well this is the final update before the Big Day,,,
Training has been completed with two 50 mile rides over the last ten days and a couple of short, faster rides thrown in to make sure everything is working as it should. Will it be enough?? We shall find out tomorrow! How long will the ride take? Again, I don't know - there are two many variables like weather/wind direction - congestion - terrain - me!! I do know that when I get to the top of the Beacon, I shall be mighty relieved to see the SEA in the distance and...it will be downhill all the way from there! Hooray!
I can never thank enough all those of you who have supported DEBRA and me with your encouragement and donations - I have felt at times quite overwhelmed by it all. I'm so grateful and it is hugely appreciated by all the people at DEBRA. Now I just have to show that I'm worthy of all that support!
Once I have recovered I'll write a final update to let you know how it all went. I must say I shall be relieved to get started, but a whole lot more when I cross the Finish Line!!!
Time for another update...
All is going well and following two 35 mile rides I shall be taking on a 40 mile ride tomorrow. Forecast is for hot weather - a difference from cold, grey, wet n' windy!
Just in case anyone is interested I've attached a photo' of a typical lane in Norfolk; "The loneliness of a long distance cyclist" comes to mind!
Latest news is I now have my entry number. I think the Organisers have slipped up. Because of my age of 80, I was expecting to be a late starter allowing everyone else to get clear. With 14,000 entries anticipated, I thought my number would be 14,000 +. It is not...it's missing the 1 a the front, so my actual number is 4115 and I shall start at 6.30am from Clapham along with all the club cyclists, who know what they're doing! I have been advised to keep to the left - and stay out of their way. I know my place...!
A very BIG thank you again to all those who have made donations since my last update. It is very heartening and makes me feel privileged that I have become involved with the event.
I'll post a final update before I head off on the Challenge...
Hello Everyone - Time for an update...
Firstly a huge thank you to all who have so generously donated towards this endeavour. It is really appreciated by everyone involved with DEBRA and especially by me - it will help to keep those pedals turning! The 15th June is getting close now, just over three weeks away and I'm training hard. I plan to be ready in time, but it will be a close thing! At least for me, it's NOT a race and that removes some of the pressure. The object is to finish (...and still be in one piece!) After falling off twice in the earlier stages of training, I can now manage to stay on board and tomorrow I will attempt my first shot at 35 miles, which should lead on to 40 miles by the end of next week. You see what I mean by "a close thing"! 54 miles is the target and there is Ditchling Beacon at 260 mtrs to contend with before the ride down to Brighton seafront.
Thank you, thank you again and do please spread the word for me - every little bit helps !!
John
yours truly - ready for the road!
Charity
DEBRA
Charity number: 1084958
Recent donations
Sarah
£60.00
+ £15.00 Gift Aid
Wow! You superstar 🌟
Tanja johnson
£50.00
Well done John 🙌🙌🙌🙏🥳Maybe next year I could do it with you Hahaha
Layla Danino
£30.00
+ £7.50 Gift Aid
Well done John! Amazing job!
Hugh Osborne
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Congrats!
Richard and Sally
£30.00
Well done!
Sue Harder
£20.00
Well done, but you must be mad!
Christopher Hutton
£200.00
+ £50.00 Gift Aid
Richard & Janine
£5.00
Good luck evergreen John!
Marie
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
All the best.
Peter and Patricia
£100.00
+ £25.00 Gift Aid
Good luck, John. You can do it
More great ways you can raise funds
Shop instore
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