Joe & Caroline Argue

On Friday 21st July – Friday 28th July 2023 my Grandsons Leo (15) and Fynn (12), my daughter Caroline and myself will be in company with 28 other cyclists from the Birmingham Irish Cycle Appeal (BICA). We will be doing a sponsored cycle from Mizen Head to Malin Head up the West Coast of Ireland, approx. 909km to raise money for some very worthwhile causes. We have been training hard over the past few months and with only a week to go we are of course excited and nervous for the adventure we have ahead of us.

This is the BICA’s 22nd sponsored cycle and to date we have raised in the region over £1 million for a variety of charities.

We are going to be raising money for several incredible charities and causes. With your kind support, we can raise vital funds and create lasting change in the lives of those who need it most.

This year we are raising money for:

Soft UK.

Soft UK supports the families of children affected by Edward’s and Patau’s Syndrome (also known as Tristomy 18 and Trisomy 13). Both conditions are considered to be life limiting, and children affected will encounter a variety of developmental and heath difficulties. Soft UK provides support and assistance to the families of children affected by these conditions.

Birmingham Hospice

Birmingham Hospice is the new name for St Marys Hospice in Selly Park, and the John Taylor Hospice in Erdington. The two hospices merged in 2021, and they are now the primary provider of hospice care in Birmingham. Birmingham Hospice cares for almost 1,000 patients on average every day, at their hospice sites, in the community or in their own homes.

Laura Lynn Hospice

Laura Lynn Hospice is a hospice and care facility based in Dublin. They provide palliative care for children with life limiting conditions, and residential care for children and young adults with complexed care needs and disabilities. They also provide a support services for the children and their families, to ensure they can achieve the best possible quality of life.

BUMBLEance

BUMBLEance is the children’s ambulance service of Ireland. They provide safe and comfortable transportation for Ireland’ youngest patients as they travel between their homes and hospitals, hospices, treatment centres and respite centres. These can extend to hundreds of miles, and BUMBLEance aims to distract, comfort and entertain children during these journeys.

Orlatih Quinn

Orlaith Quinn is a 7-year-old from Birmingham who has Cerebral Palsy. Through the help of her family and the charity NICE, she has made huge progress with her development and mobility. She is now aiming to make further progress with the use of a specialist Knee Brace Rehabilitation device, which her parents hope will help her to be able to stand and walk.

Buncrana Childrens Charity

The Buncrana Childrens Charity provides services to sick and disadvantaged children in the Inishowen peninsular in Donegal. They focus on three services; Financial support to sick children and their families, a ‘goodie bag service’ that can be sent to sick children in hospital, and the ‘Smile of a Child Wish, where they try to fulfil the wish of a sick child.

Kingsbury SEN Academy

Kingsbury Academy is a special needs school in Coventry, which provides support for pupils aged 11-14 with significant learning disabilities. The school is fundraising to provide a new onsite playground, following their old playground being condemned as unsafe in 2021.

Midwifery Bereavement Facilities UHCW Hospitals

The Maternity Department at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire currently deliver over 5,000 babies each month, but have no separate facilities for families who suffer a stillbirth. The UHCW team have designed a Maternity Bereavement Suite, where families who suffer a stillbirth would have privacy and comfort in soundproofed rooms, away from other new families. These facilities will include provisions for partners and siblings to grieve together, and will provide bespoke facilities for specialist staff to support families at this saddest of times.

With your generous support, we can bring about positive change, touching the lives of those in need. Thank you for considering a donation and joining us on this heartfelt journey. Together, we can make a real difference and bring hope and smiles to those who need it most.

If you would like to sponsor us, you can do so by clicking on the link below. Every penny raised goes to the charities. Please remember to tick the gift aid option at no extra cost, that allows tax relief and additional funds to the charities.

Thank you very much. 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️