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In June 2009 I
will cycle alone and unsupported across America and parts of
Europe in support of two charities; Help for Heroes, my eldest
son is in the
That’s the most serious you will
ever see me…from now on its manic, funny, entertaining (I hope).
Keeping politics out of it I’ve always thought that the British Armed Forces are incredible, doing a difficult job in often-sensitive areas throughout the world in a highly professional manner. These are your average young men and women who excel in very difficult situations that the general public can only imagine. This was highlighted to me when my eldest son joined the Army and after training did a tour of Iraq. What impressed me the most was the camaraderie that my son has experienced and the humour that helps him and his mates deal with the difficult and often dangerous jobs.
Military personal injured in the service of
their country should receive the best medical care and rehabilitation.
Help for Heroes is a charity that helps to do just that.
Tim Parry and
Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. In 1993, an IRA bomb, planted in a bin in the town centre, devastated my hometown of Warrington. Many people were injured and there were two fatalities, 12-year-old Tim Parry and 3-year-old Johnathan Ball. Despite their obvious unimaginable grief Colin and Wendy Parry, Tim’s parents created and were supported by the parents of Johnathan Ball in the establishment of a charity that deals with issues and victims of conflict. To create something so positive out of something so negative is truly amazing and deserves everyone’s support.
design by matty 09 |
I
am 50, ok, 51 years old, unfit and fed up so I’ve decide to go for a
bicycle ride. I’ve ridden to the shops and back, more than once. I’ve
ridden to work, which is actually six minutes walk from where I live,
hardly challenging. Now I want more so in the words of the song ‘go west
young man’ and that’s what intend I to do. I teach Television Production
at the University of Chester and play on the staff ‘football team’, a
loose term describing a bunch of want to B’s, has beens and never will
B’s but we enjoy it. I’m still waiting for the call from Sir Alex; we
never grow up do we?I have two grown up children and I’m very proud of
both my boys. Daniel is in the British Army and Thomas works in retail.
I’m divorced and will probably never marry again. I’ll just meet someone
I don’t get on with and buy them a house…only joking, we’re still
friends. Like many ‘middle aged men’ I’ve had loads of jobs, some better
than others, cleaning toilets on building sites was probably rock
bottom, pardon the pun but we had a great laugh, black humour and all
that. I’ve also had some sad/funny/scary/enjoyable/boring/unbelievable
experiences, none of which I am going to tell you about. I suspect that
this challenge is going to be hard, in numerous ways. One thing I can
guarantee, whatever happens it will be interesting and funny, to
someone, that’s all I’m looking for. So let the adventure begin.....
Military and The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball
Foundation for Peace, a fantastic charity based in Warrington.
Both charities deal with victims of conflict. It is early days
and that’s intentional. I want as many people as possible to get
involved and to help make this happen. I have never done
anything like this before so I’m not entirely sure how things
will work out, which makes it interesting. if a little scary.
Any help would be appreciated. That may be sponsorship, both
corporate and private, (I still need a bike, without
stabilizers), advice, especially if you are experienced
cyclists, traveller, man, woman, child, dog (Apparently I will
have loads of trouble with wild dogs in America)…in fact anyone,
I’m desperate. This may included accommodation, water, BEER, a
cheery wave (as I pass by) or a push up the steep hills, they
all count. Most of all I want it to be enjoyable for all of us.
Forgive my sense of humour but it will be done ‘very tongue in
cheek’ which does not distract from the seriousness of the
charities involved. A sense of humour is the way many people
deal with adversity, thank God and Morecombe and Wise (I’m 51,
it’s an age thing) 
