No RFL 2007

[essjay]

After much deliberation Kendo & myself have decided not to do a Ride for Life this year, why? well we feel that the level of interest is not here this year, I had no feedback at all from the Quin and very little from the site, this does not mean that it wont happen again but we have successfully completed Lands End to John o Groats both ways now and need a new vision. I apologise to all who wished to take part and I have spoken to Annette who fully understands our position, below is a letter that I received from her, thanks to all who helped us.




Dear Harley Davidson riders,

I have just been informed today that sadly the 2007 “Ride for Life”, is not going to happen due to lack of interest from riders.

As the Founder of The Global Natural Healthcare Trust, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Trevor Moyle from Cornwall who helped me to start the “Ride for Life” in 2005 and Essjay Williams from Cornwall who put a huge amount of energy into making two “Ride for Life” happen. And every one else in various regions that contributed to make the rides successful.

To each and every one of you from all over the U.K. and Scotland, who organised yourselves, made the effort to raise funds for our small charity and made a commitment and rode at the events, to help us help others, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The project continues on in South Africa with the same gruelling momentum, there is no time for lassitude, having arrived back less than two weeks ago, my cases are already repacked to fly back on the 28th June. In between we have had two fundraising events which were great fun and we have made just enough for the South African clinic staff to have their wages for June.

We are that hand to mouth.

The Virgin team from the U.K. have been out to the project and hope to assist with the purchase of a bus to get patients to and from the clinic, and on to hospitals if needed. The bus will make a huge difference and we hope that by the end of the year we will have the funds to purchase it.

Early in the morning I am off to a junior school that have been making pencil cases and filing them with a pen, pencil crayons and a rubber. I shall join the 300 strong junior school for prayers and assembly at 8.30 a.m. Later that day I am with G.E.Money a company that has over 200 staff, they have stepped in to help raise funds for the annual orphans party in September this year.

I hope I have been informative about the work of the charity and how we have spent your funds over the past two years, I have repeatedly offered anyone copies of our audited accounts for the past 5 years. Unfortunately I have to rely on others to post these reports as I am not sure how it is done from the outside on to your websites.

The laboratory has now been completed in South Africa this week, and we are hoping that Rotary will step in and assist the urgency of endeavouring to purchase blood testing equipment. We then proceed on with the basement and making the new Research and development Centre.

On my last visit we endured the coldest snap for 22 years, and sadly we lost 80% of the medical herbs and food crops. However we shall plant in August and play the waiting game for all to grow.

Its amazing how it all happens, so many think that I do this full time! Oh no I too have a full time job in the U.K. with two clinics in both Cornwall and Dorset and now a consulting room in Bristol. So I am on the road and will see you all from time to time.

Do give me a wave.


Meanwhile, ride well and ride safe.

God Bless

Annette Montague-Thomas
The Founder
The Global Natural Healthcare Trust

[Mrs C aka Pendleton Girl]

Essjay, the only think I can think of other than going abroad would be to do a coastal ride - ride around the coast of the UK keeping to the coast roads as far as possible. Would take longer but would be scenic and interesting rather than lots of motorways. There might be more scope for public interest too "Ride for Life 2008 is due at this town/village on -/-/- if you would like to see the bikes and make a donation" that sort of thing.

Otherwise - a ride to South Africa where the project is based?????

[Mike Benis]

Very sorry to read that, Essjay, though I sympathise fully with why you and Kendo felt you had to come to this decision. You've done great work on this and it's great to read such positive acknowledgement from Annette.

Hopefuly we can again provide support in some way in the future.

Cheers

Mike

[dantheman]

very sad

[Chiefy]

I'm also sad to hear this news.

For my part, I'm not very imaginative, so to ask me for an idea for RFL wouldn't yield much of a result.

But............. I really enjoyed the participation on the two previous RFL's, so it's not good news to hear it's not on.

If you decide to run it again, then count me in

[Foby]

Essjay my good buddy would it be possible for you to collect donations for the charity this year on behalf of the club.
At least it shows we are still prepared to do something

I know from my own experience organising Fishing matches (Thats why we dont eat our fish Kev mate) for charity they work for a couple of years and then interest dwindles. Its sad but thats life.

[Mike Benis]

Good idea, Foby.

I'd also be prepared to take part in future RFLs.

Cheers

Mike

[JMB517794]

What a very great pity that RFL has no road left to travel

I for one felt that it gave great credit to the club as a whole, however many or few took part.

Count on my support for any future action that may be taken, to resurrect RFL.

JohnB

[HogHog]

Hey Guys - sad to hear that Ride For Life won't be happening. It is difficult enough to get a group together for a ride out for fun, never mind the good job you guys did. I'm new to your site but I do like to RIDE my bike, not just OWN my bike. I had intended doing a ride around the Coast of the UK on my own just for fun. If you do decide to do it for Charity - COUNT ME IN. Hopefully, if Ride For Life does come back for 2008, it'll be bigger and better than ever. Cheers - HogHog

[kendo]

It's not just the lack of interest shown this year that me & Essjay decided not to do the RFL.

Essjay has had personal stuff going on and as you know I've been putting all my efforts into coping with the loss of my wife and best mate Maggie last year. I'm getting on with stuff now but it's not been easy and still have my moments. So it's been hard for me & Essjay to get into gear for this and drum up the interest too. Hopefully we'll be in the right frame of mind for this next year & we'll sort something out.

Maybe we could hold the odd raffle or two or something just to raise something for the charity because I feel real bad that I've let Annette down this year

Cheers to all those who still wanted to do this still.

Thanks,

Kendo