Friend of the Connection, Ken Mason (pictured below) is embarking on a year-long fundraising project in aid of our homeless clients. Ken is looking to raise funds by cycling over 2,000 miles this year using his stationary Peloton bicycle (much nicer in the winter months)! Ken describes the challenge below.
If you would like to support Ken’s efforts, please donate at his virginmoneygiving.com page or on the Friends donation page.
Thank you!
RIDE TO NOWHERE.. FOR THOSE WITH NOWHERE TO LIVE
“In ’83, almost my age, a pop band called ‘The Proclaimers’ proudly sang they’d ‘Walk 500 miles…and 500 more’. I’ve done my fair share of walking over the years including winning at both the Stock Exchange and National London to Brighton race-walking competitions and becoming a rare member of the ‘Centurion’s’ (for athletes able to race-walk 100 miles in under 24 hours). I’ve also rowed a bit too! – some of you may recall in the London Olympic year I rowed the distance of two marathons in 24 hours, fundraising for this charity.
Rolling forward to 2021, and this time I’ve decided to bike 1,000 miles…and 1,000 more in aid of this cause which is very close to mine and my wife’s heart, The Friends of the Connection, the charity doing so much with the homeless.
I’ve recently survived a heart attack, my knees and hips are spent, and I’m not in the best of shape, but I have a roof over my head, and it’s under that roof I’m going to pedal until I reach my goal of 2,000 miles, which I hope to complete within 1 year. I started on April 1st, and have already completed 221 miles.
Never before has anyone biked so far and not left the spare bedroom!
It’s quite a commitment, and I trust my spirit and ageing 84 year-old body holds out to fulfil my ambition.
I’ve set up the indoor bike, I’ve dusted off my lycra shorts and even bought a new saddle to try to stay comfortable. It’s tough coming through recent times but if you have any spare time to offer some words of support care of friends@cstm.org.uk; or even have some spare pounds to donate www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/tourdeken, I can assure you it will make my pain and blisters worth the while. Knowing that your kind contributions will help the homeless of London is reward enough.
Thank you”
Ken Mason