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As some of you know, Marc has a three year old son, Alby, who has Down syndrome. Sunshine & Smiles is a Leeds charity providing support to children, and young people with Down syndrome and their families. They have been and continue to be a very important part of Marc’s family’s life, and as a result last year he became a Trustee of the charity. They are the only organisation in the city of its kind and rely entirely on fundraising and grants, which are becoming ever harder to obtain, to provide the amazing services they do.
To try and raise some sponsorship money, Marc and Richard are completing a 210 km bike ride on 4th September. We are doing this to support Ailith Harley-Roberts, who works for the charity and is completing the Tri 21 challenge, a home-made triathlon of a 2.1km swim, 210km ride and 21km run, all in 21 hours. 21 because all people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of chromosome 21.
Neither of us has any real pedigree in cycling. It was just over two years ago that, whilst enjoying a night out we were discussing a mutual lack of fitness and agreed that buying a bike and getting out on it every now and again might be a good thing to do. A few months later, with bikes purchased and the weather nice and warm we headed out on our first ride. We stopped off mid way for two pints of cider before tackling one of the steepest hills in Leeds. It’s fair to say we’ve learnt one or two things since then and thought that following a couple of 100km rides, a 210km was well within our range. And yes, you’re right, doing the ride without the gentle warm up swim and warm down run is much harder. But we do like a challenge.
So if you were able to sponsor us it would be fantastic and be truly appreciated by us both, Sunshine & Smiles and all of the families we support. Any amount large or small will make a difference.
Thank you!
Marc and Richard
