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Fundraising – The Blue Marine Foundation

I ride ultra endurance cycle events because I enjoy it, plain and simple. However, it is also clear that others enjoy reading about my adventures as well as following the races online as “dot watchers”. The supportive messages I receive are very welcome but its great to be able to offer people other ways to lend their support such as donating to a charity.

I don’t claim to be doing any of the rides “for charity” but if I can fundraise for a charity as part of my riding then that really is so much the better!

This year I’m fundraising for The Blue Marine Foundation a UK based charity dedicated to creating marine reserves and establishing sustainable models of fishing.

THE PROBLEM – 90% of wild fish stocks are over-fished or fully exploited. Without fish, the oceans cannot absorb CO2, millions of livelihoods are lost and food security is threatened.

Seafood happens to be my favourite food, whilst the oceans have indirectly supported my entire working life since I was 21. Windsurfing and water sports instructor, wind and surf board builder,  yacht painting contractor, yacht painting consultant.

I’ve lived on the coast in various countries continuously since I left London in 1980. Boats, windsurfing, surfing, kite-surfing, paddle boarding, ocean sports of every description have inspired my leisure time.  The yachting industry has provided for me and my family for decades. In fact the cycling I now do is the least ocean centric thing I’ve ever embarked upon!

THE SOLUTION – By designating large parts of the world’s oceans as marine reserves and banning industrial fishing, fish stocks are able to recover and ecosystems thrive.

I delight in the idea of giving back to the seas and oceans for all the support, joy and nourishment they have provided to me.

Creating marine reserves and developing sustainable models of fishing seems, to me, an obvious thing to do but actually making this a reality is no easy task when dealing with the many and varied commercial interests involved.

The Blue Marine Foundation have demonstrated their ability to truly affect positive change and have a fascinating portfolio of projects.

I hope you’ll join me and support their efforts further.  DONATE

 

Why Age UK?

 

This challenge of mine is supposed to be enjoyable rather than easy, in part it’s about pushing my limits and stepping out of my comfort zone.

It would be a lot easier to just ride the event quietly and see how it goes. Adding a charity fundraising aspect to things increases my motivation to do well plus the thought that my effort is having a direct benefit to others is also rather exciting.

The choice to support Age UK came to me quite easily.

Age UK’s vision is for a world where everyone can love later life

Loving later life seems like a fine plan to me.

It saddens me to think that many of our elderly population maybe struggling alone with the challenges and obstacles that later life can bring and it feels good to be doing something to help. I’ve long held a special regard for the elderly, possibly triggered by the happy times I had as a youngster listening to the stories my very elderly next door neighbours would recount to me over the garden fence. Some things always stay with you…

Between 2015 and 2020, over a period when the general population is expected to rise 3%, the numbers aged over 65 are expected to increase by 12% (1.1 million); the numbers aged over 85 by 18% (300,000); and the number of centenarians by 40% (7,000).

With these increasing numbers the needs and issues of the elderly are only going to become greater and more apparent in our society so do please donate as generously as you feel can.

Thanks!