This month we caught up with eager Lancaster bicycle owner Gillian Sheath, who’s at the moment endeavor her fourth lengthy distance cycle journey in assist of charity. This time she has chosen to fundraise for Air Ambulances UK, “you simply by no means know while you may want their assist”.
Gillian Sheath is fundraising for Air Ambulances UK (justgiving.com)
When did you get into biking?
I learnt to cycle once I was about 5 years outdated and have been a assured bicycle owner since then, biking to high school, and early on in my working life biking round Hyde Park nook to my workplace. I did crash a Chopper bike once I was about 15, which belonged to my youthful brother’s buddy and knocked myself out. Other than that I’ve been protected and completely satisfied biking. My mantra is to cycle like each different individual round me is an fool…
What impressed you to fundraise?
In 2020 we had lock down throughout a very pretty spring and with a purpose to get out and about I began biking for 2-3 hours a day. I bought the concept to ‘do’ an enormous journey.
In August 2020 I rang everybody I knew between Lancaster and Lands Finish and inside a few hours had 14 nights lodging. I set off in early September and arrived at Lands Finish 2 weeks later. I known as on favours from mates I hadn’t seen in 20 years. Alzeimer’s Analysis had been promoting for supporters so I made a decision I may get sponsorship, which I did by Virgin Cash. I used to be given cash by open automotive home windows, while I used to be biking up hill, and while pushing my bike by cities. As a consequence of lockdown my pretty mates offered a packed lunch as you by no means actually knew what could be open and when. I’d baked an enormous flapjack which stored me going from 4pm onwards once I was actually knackered. The donations for this journey amounted to £3000.
I loved my time on that journey a lot that I believed I’d do one other in September 2021. This was to Beachy Head in Sussex from Heysham Head close to Lancaster. I selected to lift cash for The Samaritans as a affected person of mine had taken her personal life and Beachy Head is a favoured spot for suicide intenders. My route took me mainly immediately south to Romsey in Hampshire after which alongside the coast to Eastbourne. There have been some very troublesome hills in Sussex. I keep on with A and B roads as I don’t need to get misplaced and if I fall off I would like somebody to note. I exploit a paper map. Donations once more reached about £3000, with over £200 given to me in money en route.
In 2022 I selected to cycle from Lancaster Fortress to Cardiff Fortress through England and again by Wales. This journey was to lift funds for Macmillan most cancers analysis. My route planning went a bit haywire once I thought I used to be someplace fully completely different from the place I really was. This was in Shropshire and once I arrived at Clun youth hostel I used to be so unbelievably drained that I couldn’t converse. The warden was very sort and I recovered shortly.
What’s the plan for this yr’s journey?
This yr I’ve chosen Air Ambulance with the concept of visiting a few stations, however they aren’t eager on this as they all the time have to be completely prepared for motion, moderately than chatting to a retired occupational therapist who desires to know the way all the pieces works! My route once more is through family and friends so I set off from Lancaster on 2nd to Prestwich Manchester, 3rd to Hayfield, 4th to Beeston, 5th to Reepham, 6th to Lincoln Cathedral arriving at 12 midday, then onto RAF Cranwell the place I’ve a niece, then a relaxation day. On 8th to Leicester, 9th to Leamington Spa, 10th to Kineton, 11th to Worcester, 12th to Stourbridge, 13th to Fortress Pulverbatch close to Shrewsbury,14th to Bunbury, 15th to Warrington [my home town] and 16th to Lancaster, the place I now reside.
Over £1800 has already been donated through simply Giving, together with £100 from a stranger. Individuals are extremely beneficiant.
I’m very enthusiastic about this journey. I do know a few days shall be actually onerous work, however heh ho. It’ll be nice!
The journey to date!
Gillian is at the moment making her manner North and reached Kiveton on the tenth September. To this point on her travels she has had some difficult days together with an encounter with a canine in Newark which left her in A and E. Tetanus and antibiotics had been administered to her, however this didn’t cease her! She remains to be effectively on her manner and nearly as much as her goal of £2000! On common, an air ambulance can attain somebody in pressing want inside quarter-hour. Air ambulance charities are collectively dispatched to over 100 lifesaving missions every day throughout the UK; every mission is funded nearly solely by the generosity of native communities similar to Gillian’s supporters.
To observe her progress and make a donation you will discover her Simply Giving web page right here: Gillian Sheath is fundraising for Air Ambulances UK (justgiving.com)
When you’ve got a biking story you suppose could also be value sharing on our weblog, please get in contact through Instagram or Fb or e-mail alex.cowie@merlincycles.com
