Jools Cox and Fiona (Fi) Wilson from Castle Douglas, are planning a series of fundraising activities to reach their goal of £4000 for CARE International, a charity that provides disaster relief and organises loans for people working their way out of poverty.
In November they will take part in an awareness raising 650km bike ride from Cambodia to Laos, visiting projects funded by CARE.
Jools Cox said; ”We are looking forward to our challenges – both the fundraising and the cycling. CARE International has been helping people in need in areas affected by war and natural disasters for over seventy years. Their pioneering scheme of providing small loans to people with innovative business ideas in third world countries creates employment and income for individuals and their communities.”
In partnership with Castle Douglas Cycles shop they are hosting their first fund raising event on 16 March – very appropriately a “brush up your bike maintenance skills” workshop!
Fi Wilson said; “I think we will need a few basic skills to keep us on the road in Laos and Cambodia. I know how to fix a puncture but it can take me ages and I would like to feel more confident about looking after my bike and making emergency repairs. Anyone who would like to book a place on the workshop should phone Castle Douglas cycles on 01556 504542. It will be a fun, relaxed evening with supper provided by Jools and myself.”
Lynn and Andy, who own the Castle Douglas Cycle shop, have been supporting Fi and Jools with advice since the start of their project and kindly offered to provide the skills workshop for free. Lynn said; “Perhaps you are not traveling as far afield as Fi and Jools but gaining some basic skills removes the ‘fear’ factor in dealing with your own roadside repairs.”
Throughout the year Jools and fi are planning a variety of events to raise cash including cooking dinners for friends, car boot sales and coffee mornings. They are already in training for the cycle ride. As they prepare for their adventure in south Asia, they hope to spread the word about what a fantastic place Dumfries and Galloway is to visit and cycle around.
“We are so lucky to live in this beautiful area. It is not surprising that it was voted Countryfile holiday destination of the year! The fact that the Tour of Britain completing its day one stage in Castle Douglas in September is so exciting and great for promoting cycling in the region. We hope to be there at the finish line on 4 September! ”
Anyone who wants to sponsor Jools and Fi can do so at their Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/JoolsandFi. You can follow their ups, downs, thrills and spills of their preparation and fundraising by liking their Facebook page www.facebook.com/JoolsandFiCycling
Fighting poverty. Defending dignity.
CARE International is one of the world’s leading humanitarian and development organisations. Founded in 1945, we have been fighting global poverty and defending the dignity of people around the world for 70 years.
CARE currently works in 75 poor and developing countries, helping millions of the world’s poorest people find routes out of poverty.
We are there to provide life-saving assistance when disaster strikes, and to help people rebuild their lives afterwards.
And we are there to work alongside poor people and communities on long-term programmes to deliver lasting change.
Our programmes and our policy work tackle the underlying causes of poverty so that people can become self-sufficient. We place special focus on empowering women and girls because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to lift whole families and communities out of poverty.
