Ozzies do LEJOG 4 Ecuador

(Thanks for visiting my son, Alex's GoGetFunding site. He is under 18 so I have to own the site on his behalf). This is what he has to say:

So what is this all about?

I am planning to go on a fantastic “Expedition of a lifetime” to Ecuador with Reading School in 2016. It will involve high altitude trekking (including a trek to the top of the tallest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi (5987m)). We will also be immersing ourselves in local culture and undertaking a community project in one of the poorer rural villages. I can’t wait!

How much do I need to raise?

Having committed to the trip, now all I have to do is find nearly £4,000 to pay for it! I have already raised over £1000 by doing odd jobs for friends and family and will continue to do so, and birthday and Christmas money will also go toward the expedition, but that will still leave a gap of about £1600. So Dad (Andy) came up with “What about cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats (aka “LEJOG” or End to End or E2E) for our summer holiday this year – surely that is a challenge which people will be prepared to sponsor?” Why did I let him talk me into it?!?!?

The Challenge

So we will be undertaking this gruelling, 900-mile challenge over 14 days, from 8th to 21st August 2015 - meaning I'll be 14 when I start and 15 when I finish! On an average day we will be covering about 65 miles. We will be staying with friends and relatives when we can, and youth hostels and B&Bs when we can’t. My mum (Rachel) and sisters (Sophie and Harriet) will be supporting us for most of the first week, and my Grandad and his friend Otti doing the same role for the second week, mainly in Scotland.

On the way...

We will be seeing some of the most beautiful parts of England, including the Cornish Coast, Dartmoor, the Somerset Levels, Wye Valley, Welsh Marshes, Cheshire Plain, Forest of Bowland and the Lake District. Then to Scotland, through Glasgow via the Clyde towpath and out to Loch Lomond, through the Highlands, along the banks of Loch Ness to Inverness before the final two stages to John O’Groats. Apparently the last leg is the best of all, including a long downhill section under the shadow of Ben Klibreck followed by the up and down road that follow the North Coast to our final destination.

I must be nuts!

I know it is going to be difficult, but I am looking forward to the stunning views, meeting up with friends and relatives and the satisfaction of completing this challenge at my age – one for the CV! This is the second such ride I have undertaken, having completed the Coast-to-coast with Dad 4 years ago, aged 10.

Please sponsor me

I hope you will feel able to sponsor me. Whilst I am not directly raising money for Charity, a third of the expedition is spent undertaking a much needed community project. Also, Mum and Dad are committed to donate the equivalent of 25% of the money I raise (from their own pocket) to Young Minds, a charity which focuses on the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people, once the £800 half-way total has been realised.

Thank you

Thank you for reading this, and thank you even more for your kind donation!

Alex