Cycle 2 End the Cycle Appeal

Cycle 2 End the Cycle is a brand new campaign which will see 6 brave women cycle over 270 miles in just 4 days from London to Paris in order to raise money to support women and children affected by Domestic Violence.

Kath Rees, Chief Executive of The Haven Wolverhampton, will take on the challenge with 5 other volunteers next July. Kath Rees said “we will be cycling a grueling 270 miles to raise money for The Haven’s Counselling service. This service offers a vital lifeline to women and children helping them to come to terms with emotional issues and break free from abuse.”

The cycle ride which will take place between the 18th and 22nd July 2012 will also mark the start of celebrations of The Haven’s 40th Birthday with plans for a celebratory ball to be held after the challenge is complete.

A bit about the Route Cycling from London to Paris is one of the toughest and exhilarating cycle challenges in Europe.  Lasting over 270 miles this is a women only 4 day route: Day One – Departing from the 02 in London the team will cycle through Kent and take the ferry from Dover onto Calais where they will ride to a nearby hotel. Day Two- The team will head from Calais through Desvres, Crecy-en-Ponthieu, and onto Abbeville.  Day Three- The cyclists will head east out of Abbeville, through Amiens, local valleys and agricultural lands, ending at the beautiful town of Beauvais. Day Four – The final day will involve cycling south of Beauvais, through the small town of Meru, the suburbs of Paris including St. Denis. The challenge will finish at the Pont d’lena and beneath the arches of the Eiffel Tower in time for the final stages of the Tour de France.

Our Cyclists

Kath Rees
Hi, I am Kath Rees, Chief Executive of The Haven Wolverhampton. I am very excited about this charity challenge for The Haven, raised funds will go towards our counselling service which proves to be, year on year, more difficult to sustain.  The value of this service is little understood by many however for women and children it is life changing.  Whilst excited I am also very unfit and have not been on a bicycle since I was young.  Now nearing a special birthday next year its now or never as the song goes – so hear we go!
I hope you can support us in any way, even if it’s just to wave us off when we leave, when you have supporters around you the power of achieving what may seem impossible is unbelievable – many of the women that use Haven services experience that every day as they move to a life free from Domestic Violence.

Ann Gough
Hello I’m Ann, and this is going to be the biggest challenge I have undertaken in my life!
I am working freelance at the present time, working particularly with the City of Wolverhampton College and the University of Wolverhampton. I support young graduates in securing internships and long term employment opportunities across the West Midlands. In addition I work with the College to support the development of a curriculum that focuses very much on the skills and knowledge they will require within the changing economic environment they are facing.
My background is very much based in the voluntary sector and I fully endorse the work that The Haven undertakes in Wolverhampton, hence my commitment to fact this challenge on their behalf. More now than ever, there is a need to support such organisations in the valuable work that they undertake for women and children.
There will be challenges, aches and pains on the way but I know that the support and motivation all those on the team and those supporting us whether through sponsorship or encouragement will help me achieve this goal.

Lynne Beighton
Hi, I am Lynne Beighton vice-chair of the Haven. I started cycling a few years ago, having persuaded my son to loan me his old bike rather than sell it on eBay. The aim was to get fit and lose some weight. Well I am not sure I have lost any weight but I am certainly hooked on cycling.
My plan to complete the London to Paris cycle ride suffered a bit of a setback earlier this year when I fell off my bike and broke my arm in 4 places. However, thanks to excellent support from Mr Dhillon at New Cross Hospital and Jamal from Olympia Physiotherapy I am now back on track and ready to go. Well nearly ready after quite a lot more training.
The London to Paris cycle ride is certainly going to be a challenge but one I'm looking forward to; perhaps not to the hills! It provides a great opportunity to raise money for both the Haven and Action Medical Research, so I hope you will support us all.

Cathy Brewerton
Hi my name is Cathy Brewerton and I'm 44 years old. I have two wonderful children or should I say young adults. I work at Tettenhall College and have done so for 12 years and my transport to work is a pushbike.Come rain or shine I cycle to work. I love cycling so much I joined Wolverhampton Wheelers (a local cycling club) and decided to treat myself to a road bike.
I have completed a number of cycle rides for charity and am  including a 300 mile trip from Lands End to Telford in 5 days. It was no mean feat!
My friend, Lynne from The Haven, brought the Cycle to End the Cycle challenge to my attention in summer 2011. When I heard I didn’t hesitate, and here I am today signed up again and ready do the miles. This time I'm going to bring plenty of cream - oh the pain.

How can you help?
The Haven is currently looking for individuals, businesses and community groups to support the ‘Cycle 2 End the Cycle’ campaign and help make a life changing contribution to women and children affected by abuse. 
This could be through

• a donation of Gifts in Kind to support fundraising raffles / auctions;
• Sports equipment to use throughout the Challenge;
• Financial donations to feature your name and logo on our website, publicity, Challenge clothing and equipment.

It might be that you have other ideas that you would like to discuss with us. One of the great advantages of partnering with a charity is being able to be flexible and we would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss ideas. 

The Haven is grateful to the following for their support of the Cycle 2 End the Cycle campaign so far:

All donations to the challenge can be made online via http://www.mycharitypage.com/Cycle2EndCycle
For more information please contact 01902 572173, visit our twitter page
You can also follow the Challenge on Twitter - @ Cycle2EndCycle and visit our blog
Money raised from the London to Paris Cycle Challenge will go towards supporting The Haven Counselling Service. A percentage of the funds will also be donated to Action Medical Research.