Fundraising Frenzy

Having spent much of the end of 2011 out of the country, it meant I couldn’t get down to the Children’s Adventure Farm to visit the Christmas Party season and was also unable to see some of the activities happening with Boot Out Breast Cancer.

So it was my New Year’s Resolution to get 2012 off to a successful start with some fundraising for both charities. It turned out to be a good resolution to have and between Barney and I we managed to raise a little over £8000 in the first two weeks of the month!

I have to admit I had a bit of a helping hand thanks to the recording of Celebrity Mastermind in November, but this was shown on January 8^th and my two chosen charities received their donations and have been able to put the money to good use already.

At the Children’s Adventure Farm the money raised by my appearance, will pay for two weeks of holidays for children who need them most, whilst at Boot Out Breast Cancer the money will be put towards the total that is needed to raise money for the equipment being sought by Breakthrough Breast Cancer and with whom Boot Out Breast Cancer have teamed up.

As the memories of my appearance on Mastermind were well faded, the annual Cycle Jumble at Manchester Velodrome was looming and Barney and I had decided it was time to sell some of the training, racing and leisure kit we have accrued during our time at GB Team cyclists. Sorting through the items we had put aside, we realised we have been very fortunate with the amount of kit we have been given over the years, but since much of it now has the wrong sponsor logos on and cannot be worn it was definitely time to find a good home for them all.

149 items were sorted and labelled and we arrived at the Velodrome to set up our stall and meet the people who were looking for some unique cycling items, kit they could wear or just memorabilia they could collect. We certainly had something for everyone and were delighted to be able to raise £1500.00 to make a donation of £750.00 to both Boot Out Breast Cancer and The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust. With items still left at the end of our time on the stall, we hope to be able to do it again in the future!

As I type this blog, we are settling in to the team hotel in Newport where we are spending a few days training on the Newport Velodrome, which also happens to be the location for our holding camp should we be selected for the Paralympic Games this summer. Both Barney and I, as well as Team Storey Sport’s Communications Manager Helen Scott, were announced to the Great Britain Team going to the Para-cycling Track World Championships on Feburary 4^th and with less than 3 weeks to go, I have a Team Sprint trial on Monday 16^th January to find out whether I will add a third event to my schedule at the Championships.

Once we head back to Manchester later this week there will be just three weeks until racing starts and I can’t wait to get back on the start line!

For more information about upcoming racing or to arrange an interview please contact teamstoreysport@hotmail.co.uk