Bowes and Bounds Connected
A Community Network for Bowes Park and Bounds Green
Please Support Mandy: Cycling to Eurovision in aid of Special Olympics GB
Mandy Norman is a great friend of the Bowes and Bounds website. She generously designed our logo and header. As well as her work as a graphic designer, Mandy is also a cycling tutor for a terrific social enterprise called Bikeworks, on their All Ability cycling programme encouraging children and adults with learning and physical disabilities to ride bikes. This is something Mandy has written about before on this website.
Now, in a frankly barmy scheme, Mandy will be combining her passion for cycling - and enthusiasm for the Eurovision song contest - with a fundraising cycling trip to Eurovision 2013 to raise money for Special Olympics GB.
On her own blog Mandy writes:
This year, 2013, is an important one for me. It’s 10 years since my mate Jude and I went to our first live Eurovision show in Riga and I have decided that this needs to be commemorated. So, this Yorkshire lass is going to combine her 3 passions – Eurovision, cycling and inclusive sport for all, and attempt to cycle from her little flat in north London to Malmo in Sweden. I will be joined by another friend on this crazy journey, and together our challenge will be cycling around 800 miles – across Holland, Germany and Denmark. I will be raising money for Special Olympics GB.
The Special Olympics is a year-round community sports programme for all children and adults who have intellectual disabilities. It also includes a few days of events and competition throughout the year. The ethos is to promote and encourage sport – giving people opportunities, goals and dreams. It’s not all about the winning, but the taking part – being active, keeping fit, social interaction, learning new skills, pushing boundaries and most importantly having fun. I’ve seen first hand how the Special Olympics cycling programme has not only increased fitness, but given trainees confidence, self belief and improved their mental well-being. They feel free, independent, happy and empowered. It can be life changing
Currently the Special Olympics GB receives no government or lottery funding and just relies on private donations.
Therefore, all money raised from my Eurovision cycle will go towards helping the following two fantastic projects: The Special Olympics National Cycling Competition (July 2013) and their newly launched national cycling programme, as endorsed by Sir Chris Hoy.
If you are able to support Mandy in her attempt to generate some income for these terrific schemes - you can donate online and help to build-up much needed funds that will ensure their ongoing progress.
You can also follow Mandy's trip to Malmo on her blog or via Twitter.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mandy Norman on
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Thanks so much Richard for putting this up. You beat me to it and quite frankly saved me a job. Thanks to anyone who would like to make a donation – no matter how big or small!
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Permalink Reply by Lindsey Berthoud on
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Go Mandy! Douze points for effort.
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Permalink Reply by Jude Habib on
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Go Mandy Go!
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Permalink Reply by Administrator on
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Good Luck Mandy!
Mandy set off from Bowes Park this morning - bound for Malmo on her epic trip to Eurovision 2013.
Very best wishes for a safe and fun journey from all your friends in Bowes and Bounds.
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Permalink Reply by Richard McKeever on
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Sad news to report from our intrepid Eurovision cyclist Mandy she published this message online:
"Morning All! I'm afraid that I have bad news. On Monday evening I incurred a knee injury. Although not horrendous, I know that I need to rest it for up to 10 days. The last day has been very difficult, as I've been deciding whether to continue on land, or come home. Yesterday I had to come to Harlingen by 4 buses, relying on them being empty and the kindness of people, of which there were many. I love the Dutch! However, the truth of the matter is that getting around on public transport with a bike when you're not riding it is not easy.
Two weeks before this trip, my friend had to pull out and I had to reorganise what I had spent 4 months planning. And yesterday, whizzing past those tulip fields and looking at them through the window of the bus when I should have been smelling them as I rode by broke my heart.
It's been a difficult decision to make as I know how much support you have all given me, how eager you've been to hear of my progress and the money you've donated for me to do this ride. I've therefore decided to come home and fly back out to Copenhagen in a weeks time. I'm so sorry to relay this news, but hope you all understand. To have this happen so early on was my worse nightmare, but it has made me realise, that I will be coming back to The Netherlands to ride my bike one day. It's beautiful!
And just for some little facts and figures. Miles done in training: 700. Miles done on the ride:150. :-( "
It's such a shame that injury has prevented Mandy's madcap scheme from coming to fruition - many locals have already donated to this most worthwhile cause If you haven’t already it would be great to see if we can help Mandy reach her target - despite the setback : www.virginmoneygiving.com/mandynormski
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Ah, that's bad luck. And those tulip fields sounds wonderful.
I'm still impressed she managed to cycle to Amsterdam - rest up and get fit, Mandy!
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Thank you Lindsay and Richard! Really appreciate all your support hugely. You're both amazing!
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