“On yer bike, Vicar!”

Professor Ewan Wilkinson, the CEO of Jamie’s Fund is a keen cyclist, getting out on two wheels on most days while the Rev’d Hugh Burgess, the Chair, is more likely to be found tramping the byways of North Wales on foot.  This has led over the years to some gentle ribbing at the other’s expense, Ewan preferring to get there quickly while Hugh likes to watch the grass grow!

In the past, both Ewan and Hugh have raised money for Jamie’s Fund through their preferred forms of exercise.  Ewan has undertaken a number of cycling challenges not least in both Uganda and Rwanda while Hugh completed a 1500 mile walk from North Wales to Santiago de Compostela in North West Spain.

Ewan has now encouraged Hugh to set aside his walking poles for a few weeks and to get on his bike as part the 200×100 Cycling Challenge that Ewan is organising to raise critical funds for work with mental health patients in Uganda.  During September Ewan is asking Hugh and as many other willing volunteers as possible each to cycle 200 miles during the month and to raise a minimum of £200.

Hugh is delighted to take up this challenge even if it means eating his words about the risks of being on two wheels rather than two feet!  Hugh plans to do much of his parish work by bicycle.

Talking about the cycling challenge and the work in Uganda, Hugh said: “Having been to Uganda and seeing a woman literally chained up because she is mentally ill, changes the way you see the world.  I have seen that woman set free from her chains and I know how little money it takes but how big the need is. That’s why I’m delighted to take up Ewan’s challenge in September and I encourage anyone reading this who can pedal to join in too.  We will use every penny we raise to help some of the poorest people with their mental health”.

If you would like to sign up for the challenge please click here.

If you aren’t able to do the challenge but would like to support Hugh then please click here.

For more information on the 200×100 Challenge, please click here