1000mile EURO CHARITY CYCLE

Personal Message to all

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:04:45 +0000

Well here we are back in the UK and it is all over and done with, i can’t beleive i am sat here now and it is like nothing has happened. I apologise for not keeping you up to date over the weekend but it was really hectic from friday onwards and when we got to Ranville in France on midday, Sat 6th June ‘09 it really was non stop. Was a case of get off the bikes, get changed and then straight down to Pegasus Bridge to see the ceremonies and i personally was so glad that i did. It was AMAZING, the amount of different emotions that i went through over the next 24hours was exhaustive to say the least, it brought back so many memories of my Grandad and the stories he used to tell me and the songs that he, my uncles and friends used to sing on a sunday afternoon after watching PATTON for the umpteenth time! It was an honour to be a part of the 65th Anniversary, a life changing experience and something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I think the rest of the team enjoyed it too hahaha.

The ferry back was so much different compared to the force 7 that we experienced on the way to Denmark thank god and looking back we were really lucky to not have had any other more serious incidents, apart from the two suicidal sheep that took out myself and Capt Kelly!!

I would like to thank everyone in the team for all there hard work, enthusiasm and professionalism. If it wasn’t for them coming on board and giving up their own time to do this then it would not have happened. A special thanks goes to Capt Vince Kelly, whose advice, support and at times stern words (keeping me out of troubel) has kept me going all through this. Boss you are a star and you have a present on the way, but you have to guess what it is and prove that you have read this first, if you haven’t read this then you won’t get it hahahaha. The final, but most important “thank you” goes out to my wife - Cina Westhorpe (Mrs W) she has supported me for the past 3/4years whilst i have been trying to get this off the ground and put up with my moods, not being around and constant moaning when things didn’t go my way, i think she has picked my teddy up more times than i care to realise. I love you loads hun and really appreciate everything that you have done for me xx and i am sorry i mentioned mick and his missus on radio 5 live instead of you hahahahaha.

We Done It…

admin — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:00:10 +0000

Hi ALl, Sorry for not keeping you up-to-date over the last 2-3 days, but I ended clocking up a few hundred miles on in the 4×4…
But the riders Made it to Ranville and the Celabrations at the Pegasus Bridge.. Followed by a night in Cains… ANd a goo night it was too, Pictures will be found on facebook..
On the Ferry now heading back to Portsmouth. Either myself of Westy will fill in the gaps on the last 2-3 days within the next 24 hours.

All the team are in good spirits and have good spirits in them… enough said… Looking forward for the last leg from Portsmouth to Pirbright, can’t wait to get home.

Thaml you for all your support… catch you all soon!!!

Sam

Feeling it Now!!

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:15:33 +0000

After an enjoyable afternoon (For the support guys) and Sheep fighting with the riders… we got to Brunsbuttle and found there was no ferry to Cuxhaven… so had to add a few Ks to the ride and catch a ferry from Gluckstadt to Wischhafen. The suppot hilux jumped ahead and found the last ferry was at 11.15pm, the riders wern’t due in till 1am… Do’h. We decided to rest up at the ferry termanal untill the first ferry at 5.15am. Drivers and riders alike could get some shut eye.

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Day 3 -

We cought the 5.15 ferry and got on route to Bremahaven.
The riders found it hard work due to heavy winds. Although weather is good generaly we are getting odd down pours and constant winds.
Everyone Is still well, Westy still a little sore from his bump with the sheep, but still good going.

Sheep Problems

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:38:04 +0000

We’ve had our first accident of the run!! Westy and Mr Kelly decided to take on a Danish sheep when it refused to get off the cycle path… Our riders came off worse. Don’t worry though, the sheeps fine no injuries… as for the riders… well Mr Kelly suffered minor cuts and bruses, but Westy… well, got a very red bum!! Both riders cleaned up, told to ‘man up’ and get back in the saddle!!

Going here so far is smooth and riders (and support) are doing well. In good spirts and ready to see the next 3 days through.

Now in Denmark

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:48:24 +0000

I hope I got this right… Sat in the back of the Hilux, Traveling down the Route 11, following the North Sea Road. I’m am Medic, not a WEB master… oh and excuse the spelling mistakes.

The First day went very well with no problems, did our stop off at Headly Court then on to the sea port at Harwich.

We had one interesting night on the ferry, with a few green faces and only 4 of us making it to breakfast, not through ‘pop’ but the good old North Sea!!
But we had some great support from the Crew and passangers of the ferry. So a big thanks from us for all the Kind donations to out cause and thank you to DFDS Seaways for making us so welcome!!

Now heading for Hojer, ready for first swop over i n europe.

As long as I can keep this laptop cahrged I will get regular up dates. And try and get some photos on.

Also find updateds and photos on faceboog group ” 1000mile Euro Charity Cycle ”

Catch you all soon
Cpl “Sam” Wood (Medic)

7 Hours To Go!!

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:05:26 +0000

Well here i am only 7 hours left and still running around with last minute bits and pieces. The majority is done and after a few minor let downs with t-shirts and signs, we managed to get the majority covered, due to the hard work yet again of Sue at Windsor Royal Shopping Centre, what an absolute star she is, thanks hun.

After raising £1500 at Windsor Royal Shopping Centre on Sat 16th May ‘09, it has been none stop. It was a very successful day and many thanks to all concerned for helping out and to all those of you who donated. Now i ask you to follow our journey as we attempt an amazing 1000miles NON STOP in 4days. I am excited, but also nervous at the same time with the “unknown” nearly upon us! Just hope all the hard work that has been put in and dedication from the team will pay off and i don’t let anybody down. There has been highs and incredibly terrifying lows, but we have survived and managed to continue along our path, making the best of what we have and just dealing with the cards that have been dealt.

The next time i write in here i will be in Denmark and just just completed the 21hour ferry crossing (yuk!!) and my first leg in Europe, one down five to go!!

I would like to take this opportunity to mention the guys and girsl of the team as they certainly deserve a mention, they are:-

Capt Kelly / Capt Rutledge / Ssgt Shipley / Sgt Blezard / Sgt Goodchild / Sgt Llewellyn-Jones / Cpl Lewis / Cpl Tucker / Cpl Wood / Bdr Johnson and myself Cpl Westhorpe.

A big thanks to them all for taking time out of work and agreeing to do this in their own time, without them it wouldn’t be possible.

Sat 18th April ‘09

admin — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:05:49 +0000

I have just completed the furthest distance so far on the bike as part of my training, which was 45miles, going from Pirbright to Headley Court and back again. Didn’t go too bad, but the final 5miles or so, was bloody agonising. It took 2hours and 50mins which is also the longest time in the saddle to date. With the plan being to cover 60miles in 4hours during the cycle, this would put me right on track to be able to do that, HOWEVER the fact that my knees are now in agony and i am completely wiped out does not lend itself well to the fact that if i was on the cycle ride now, i would be going out again in 8hours to do another 60miles!! Keep on training, 6weeks to go!

On top of that it seems to be taking its toll at home now, what with being busy at work and dedicating all of my time to the recruits, then working late at night to catch up with things to do with the event, it is not leaving any time for the family! Cina (my loving wife) is very patient, but even she is being tested to the max at the moment and its going to get worse the closer we get. We are pretty strong, although we have had rough times since being at Pirbright, this place tests even the strongest marriages/relationships, just hope we can manage to fight through to the end.

And so it begins!

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:14:08 +0000

Well here we are 4weeks after the site went live, i have finally found the time and worked out how to start this blog! So where shall i begin? The story must start with explanations of the reasons why i chose the two charities, well it started off with Macmillan Cancer over ten years ago when i had just started in the Army, we had the choice of donating some of our wage to a charity and to be honest at the time i only chose Cancer as i didn’t like the other charities! oh to be stupid and naive, how glad i am that i grew up! It wasn’t until my younger cousin Laura got diagnosed with Cancer and then My Nan died of it that i really started to wake up and take notice. Since then my cousin died of the Cancer aged only 22 and it really struck home the suffering and devastation of it all. I wanted to make a difference, wanted to try and ease my own pain, whilst maybe easing others too. i wasn’t there for Laura, her mum or family, i was and am ashamed of that and always will be.

I am amazed and in awe of the courageous people who help those who suffer from this terrible disease, but even more of those who battle on through, tackle it face on and in alot of cases survive, but those who don’t, those poor soles, how they deserved so much more. People say “us soldiers” are brave and courageous, we just do our jobs, jobs we CHOSE to do, Cancer sufferers have NO CHOICE, but they battle on and manage to smile in the face of adversity, THEY are the courageous ones, THEY are the brave and THEY deserve our respect and admiration.

To this end i compare them to the Men and Women of the Armed Forces who put their lives on the line for those who are weaker and to try to make this world a better place, forget POLITICS, we just want to do whats right and protect those who can’t protect themselves, is that so wrong? So when they suffer terrifying, life changing injuries and still battle on with a smile on their face and heads held high, then THEY are also the courageous ones, THEY are the brave and THEY most certainly deserve all the support and care that this country could possibly give.

I have lost loved ones to Cancer and know friends who have also lost loved ones to this terrible disease and i also have friends and know friends who have been injured and helped by HelpForHeroes. The sufferers are worlds apart but at the same time so very close, they really do deserve OUR support in any which way we can and i am determined to help them as much as i can. I am no angel and have made some really bad choices in life, mistakes have been made and by no way am i proud of some things i have done, however that is in the past and the Army has made me what i am today, i cant change my past but i may be able to help some have a better future, please help me to achieve this.