Late last year, as Covid numbers were rising rapidly, the nights were drawing in and my motivation for physical exercise was dropping as quickly as the temperatures, I signed up to take on the Ride Across Britain for the second time.
“Late last year, as Covid numbers were rising rapidly, the nights were drawing in and my motivation for physical exercise was dropping as quickly as the temperatures, I signed up to take on the Ride Across Britain for the second time (having previously done it in 2016). An epic, nine-day ride, covering the best part of 1,000 miles on a bicycle from Land’s End to John O’ Groats with over 50,000 feet of climbing. My preparations are complete and the ride starts this Saturday (4th September).
While I didn’t embark on this challenge on as a charity fundraiser, it is too good an opportunity not to raise some money for a good cause.
That good cause is The Jigsaw Project at St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham.
Almost everyone knows that hospices provide palliative and end-of-life care to those affected by life-limiting illnesses. Fewer people know about the family support services that hospices also provide, particularly bereavement counselling, for children and young people. And most people don’t know that hospices are one of the very few places where children, young people and their families can find bereavement counselling after a traumatic death.
The Jigsaw Project is a counselling service especially for young adults and children who have experienced grief, loss and bereavement. This may be because of life-limiting illnesses and palliative care or unexpected or sudden death including suicide, road traffic accidents and murder.
When faced with a sudden death, it can be very hard for parents to know where to turn for support for their children. I know from my own family’s experience that we didn’t immediately think to contact St Cuthbert’s for help. However, I will always be profoundly grateful for the help they provided.
I’m supporting The Jigsaw Project for several reasons:
- To say ‘thank you’
- To raise funds so they can expand their valuable work, and
- To raise awareness of bereavement support services for children and young people, not least because so many more will need this help as a result of the Covid pandemic.
If you’d like to sponsor me, you can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/keith-stewart6. All donations gratefully received.
Thank you,
Keith
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