Claire 'changed' as she cycled 800km in 8 days for charity
26-02-2013
From each au pair placements, we set aside a few $$ for charity. My friend and fellow Business Blueprint member was going to ride the 800km challenge to raise $10000 for Hands Across the Water.
https://handsacrossthewater.org.au/pages/
This charity started when, in 2004, countless Thai children were left alone and homeless by the Boxing Day tsunami.
When I asked Claire how it went and told her I was inspired by her achievement, the answer below came by email; straight from the heart…..
“Hey Nicole,
It was honestly amazing. The whole thing can seem really daunting... but it's honestly been life changing for me.
Susan was inspiring. Her mental toughness and continued positive attitude meant that she was never going to stop. To me, it seemed that some people who were more physically capable than her struggled because they didn't have as much of those things.
I have no doubt in my mind that you would be up for the Ride. And that it would leave a lasting impression on you.
I found that meeting the past riders was inspiring as well. People from all walks of life, who are committed to something bigger than themselves. Who are not afraid to stand up and make a difference, even when they know its going to hurt.
Meeting those kids, hearing their stories and experiencing their openness and love for each other has changed me in ways I can't really articulate yet. All I know is that I can't walk away from this now...
When I signed up that day in Sydney in April last year, I couldn't fathom how I would be changed. I just knew two things. If I signed up I'd be changed, and if I didn't, nothing would change. “
WOW..... is all I could manage after reading that;
Here are a selection of images from the 2013 Hands Across the Water Ride, 800km from Bangkok - Khao Lak.
The temple pictured (with bike riders in the foreground) is the place where the story began for Peter Baines.
Peter arrived at Wat Yan Yao in the days following the tsunami to find 3,500 bodies lying, mostly unidentified.
This is the end point for the final leg of the southern ride.
It's a pretty emotional arrival as you come over the bridge and recognise the building from photos.
The kids are out the front waving, and suddenly the ride is over.
And just to remind you, registrations for the 2014 ride open on Friday :)
This charity started when, in 2004, countless Thai children were left alone and homeless by the Boxing Day tsunami.
When I asked Claire how it went and told her I was inspired by her achievement, the answer below came by email; straight from the heart…..
“Hey Nicole,
It was honestly amazing. The whole thing can seem really daunting... but it's honestly been life changing for me.
Susan was inspiring. Her mental toughness and continued positive attitude meant that she was never going to stop. To me, it seemed that some people who were more physically capable than her struggled because they didn't have as much of those things.
I have no doubt in my mind that you would be up for the Ride. And that it would leave a lasting impression on you.
I found that meeting the past riders was inspiring as well. People from all walks of life, who are committed to something bigger than themselves. Who are not afraid to stand up and make a difference, even when they know its going to hurt.
Meeting those kids, hearing their stories and experiencing their openness and love for each other has changed me in ways I can't really articulate yet. All I know is that I can't walk away from this now...
When I signed up that day in Sydney in April last year, I couldn't fathom how I would be changed. I just knew two things. If I signed up I'd be changed, and if I didn't, nothing would change. “
WOW..... is all I could manage after reading that;
Here are a selection of images from the 2013 Hands Across the Water Ride, 800km from Bangkok - Khao Lak.
The temple pictured (with bike riders in the foreground) is the place where the story began for Peter Baines.
Peter arrived at Wat Yan Yao in the days following the tsunami to find 3,500 bodies lying, mostly unidentified.
This is the end point for the final leg of the southern ride.
It's a pretty emotional arrival as you come over the bridge and recognise the building from photos.
The kids are out the front waving, and suddenly the ride is over.
And just to remind you, registrations for the 2014 ride open on Friday :)
