Please Visit Our Sponsors

Our charity fundraiser - and the ride itself - wouldn't be possible without the generous help of our sponsors. Please visit their websites or call into their premises - make sure you mention our event when you visit!

The biggest thanks go to our main sponsors, TalkTalk, who have donated £3000 to the charity, provided the dongle to let us blog en route, and our cycling jerseys. The Spire Hospital Bristol have supplied 2 fantastic prizes to be auctioned, fueled the support vehicle, provided super padded cycling shorts and donated directly to GWAA!

http://www.monmotorsaudi.co.uk - Based at Pioneer Park, Brislington. Thanks to Steve Smith
http://www.bristolguild.co.uk - Thanks to Mike Cannings & Kenneth Stradling
http://www.tr-bristol.co.uk/index - Thanks to Julia
http://www.mymoti.com/bristol - Thanks to Shaun Lancaster
http://www.john-sheppard.co.uk - Thanks to Richard Sheppard
http://www.colstonyard-butcombe.com - Thanks to Johnny
http://www.mikeburton.com - Thanks to Ellie
http://www.nuffieldhealth.com/Individuals/Healthclubs/B/bristol/ - Thanks to Russell
http://www.barhumbug.co.uk - Thanks to Andy Stephens for the fundraiser venue
http://www.thecowshedbristol.com - Thanks to Mickael
http://www.howies.co.uk

Big thank you to my friend & colleague Nnamdi Obi for getting us the signed Biarritz rugby shirt to raffle - even though he wanted to keep it!

Pleading & Begging (sponsors & fundraising)

Time to learn another new skill - the art of persuading people to part with their money in aid of your chosen cause. We approached several companies, with varying results! TalkTalk have been a massive supporter - donating a huge £3000 to GWAA, providing us with branded tops, and most importantly providing a dongle to allow us to update our blog as our ride takes place, showcasing the end-to-end coverage of their recently-launched mobile broadband.
The Spire Bristol have been equally fantastic, also donating to GWAA, supplying us with the essential gel-padded shorts, donating top raffle prizes for our fundraiser, and helping us with publicity
Having knocked on many doors, and called in many favours, we also managed to get hold of some other great prizes for our fundraising party from Bristol Audi, The Marriott Royal Hotel, Bristol Guild, John Sheppard Catering Butchers, Howies, The Cowshed, Moti, The Treatment Rooms - and a big thank you to Andy Stephens at Bar Humbug for providing the venue!

In the beginning....

Why would two (relatively) sane healthcare professionals decide to cycle 1000 miles in 9 days, having never owned bikes with skinny slick tyres that won't go down a mountainside? As usual, such ideas are born over a few beers and Sunday lunch in a pub with friends. Having agreed to undertake such an adventure, we thought that we could ensure that others benefited from our madness and look into raising money for a charity.
My (Steve) work as an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in trauma means I'm regularly involved in the care of severely injured patients who have often needed rapid transfer to hospital to survive. The Great Western Air Ambulance is our local provider of this vital service. Sarah's hospital, The Spire, Bristol, coincidentally has GWAA as its chosen charity to support.
And so, following the expert assistance of Simon at our local bike shop, in February we shakily took to the roads!