A HUGE thank you to our cycling team of companions, staff, trustees and supporters who have raised over £2,400 in our sponsored bike ride, clocking up over 330 miles!
Our intrepid team cycled from dawn ‘til dusk on Sunday to raise funds for two digital classrooms for tribal children supported by Emmaus India, and to support our work to end homelessness here at home. And as you can see from the main photo, the children and community are delighted we could help them with new computers!
Participants got onto the saddle from 7.30am and either cycled on the roads or cycle paths of St Albans, beginning from our community in Hill End, or clocked up the mileage on static bikes in our garden.
The inspiration for the sponsored ride was our companion, Steve, who came up with this money-spinning idea when we were considering how best to support our friends in Emmaus India through an act of solidarity.
“The weather gods smiled”
Our Chief Executive, Duncan Lewis, who covered an incredible 55.5 miles, said: “The weather gods smiled, and bike ride day was dry and mercifully there was no wind to fight against. The sun even came out in the afternoon to shine a bit of warmth onto tired limbs!
“I am pleased and proud to say that we managed to beat our target of 310 miles in time to admire the sunset out of the saddle. In total the team racked up 332.4 miles, 210 on the road and the remainder on static bikes.”
Community effort
He added: “More importantly 14 of our formerly homeless companions participated (15 if you include Phil who DJ’d a great playlist of motivational tracks for those on the static bikes). They were joined by seven of the staff team, three trustees and six assorted family and friends, meaning the whole community got involved in supporting a really good cause.
“A massive thank-you to those of you who have kindly sponsored us and have helped us reach our £3,000 target. Our Just Giving page will stay live for a little while yet because we still have a little way to go, so please consider donating.”
Funds raised will go towards funding the development and launch of two ‘smart classes’ to provide a digital education for tribal children attending a Child Development Centre in Tamil Nadu, India.
Life-changing support
This life-changing initiative by the Emmaus India will also support children attending a neighbouring school in Killai, Tamil Nadu. Any additional funds raised over our target will be used to support the work we do to help end homelessness in Hertfordshire.
Our support of this great cause is part of our ongoing solidarity work to help other people and projects in need. Helping others not only benefits the people themselves but has a positive impact on our companions by giving them a sense of purpose and fulfilment and increasing their self-esteem during their recovery from homelessness.
Please support us on our Just Giving fundraising page and help us towards our target of £3,000!
Main photo: A thank-you from the happy pupils who will benefit from digital classroom equipment provided through Emmaus India.