Le Loop - supporting the William Wates Memorial Trust
Hello, and thank you for looking at my fundraising page.
I am trying to raise £3000 for the William Wates Memorial Trust, by riding Le Loop - which is all 21 stages of the 2025 Tour de France, one week ahead of the professional, so around 3400 km and 51,500m of ascent (that’s about 6 Everests).
It’s a chunky bike ride, the biggest/hardest ride I have ever contemplated by a country mile (or kilometre, in France) and I am very, very nervous, but it is an excellent charity and deserves much support.
My treat to myself in my 60th birthday year is to cover the entry fee and any other costs for this once in a lifetime bucket list “cycling holiday”. Every single penny of sponsorship will go directly to the William Wates Memorial Trust, whose mission is:
To help the most disadvantaged young people keep away from a life of crime and violence and fulfill their potential. This is achieved by giving grants to charities that engage young people through the medium of sports, arts, and education.
This is my way of doing something to support young people in difficult circumstances who are not fortunate enough to enjoy the advantages and opportunities that I did, while doing something truly challenging, that I love.
So, here’s how it works:
I’ve committed to the event and raising the sponsorship funds.
I train, train, train and train a bit more and worry about the immensity of the tasks (the ride and the fundraising).
I try and stay injury free, and healthy, and show up in late June and give it my best go over 21 stages of around 100 miles.
You look up the William Wates Memorial Trust to see the excellent work it supports.
You resist the temptation to try and talk me out of this folly.
You click through on this page to donate what you can.
Thank you.
Thank you to my Sponsors
£520
The Tibico Fermentary
£212
Marcus & Tina
Taff you're an inspiration, keep on pedalling, not far to go now
£160
Tomy Thompson
Rather you than me😱
£155.40
Sunvelo
The SunVelo team wishing you the best of luck Taff on your epic adventure
£150
Ross Cc
Good luck Taff from everyone at Ross CC
£150
Dave Clennell
I knew you were crazy from our LEJOG in July/August ….. and this just goes to prove it!! Wishing you all the very best for your training and event. We will look forward to following your progress all the way to Paris. Chapeau, Dave and Jo
£108
Val & Lance
It's a long journey to the event, stay safe, healthy and upright! Nearly wish we were with you. Good luck Taff.
£108
James Lavingtin
£108
Chris Le Grand
Inspiring if a little crazy. Wonderful aspiration and great cause. Good on you
£108
Helen Milner
Good luck xx
£108
Peter
Good luck Taff! As I said.. train… train… and then some more! You’ll smash it👍
£106
Henry Pooler
Top work Taff, there’s a pint with your name on it at The TR next time you’re in Sedbergh!
£100
Kim & Gwynie
Go Taff! Wonderful cause, fantastic effort!
£100
Mark Lavington
£100
Natalie Sullivan
Need to agree with you which Col I’m going to sponsor … maybe the last one to make sure you make it?!
£100
Dynamite Dave
I expect to see 1 joke for every stage posted on your updates 🤪. Looking forward to the videos at the finish line of each stage.
£100
Ian Austin
£100
Doug Webb
Great cause - and great challenge. Good luck - and enjoy if you can.
£75
Cath And Alistair
All the best Taff, epic challenge, love from Wales cath and Alistair xxx
£54
Dan Visser
Good luck mate
£54
Gary Downs
£54
Jen Osler
Gotta do stuff 💗
£54
Andrew Seary
Good luck on your CHUNKY RIDE, enjoy every mile 🚴
£54
Ann Walling
Enjoy the “ ride” !
£54
Peter Food
£54
James Lavington
Go for it Bro…. You are bonkers. …. But I’m sure you will smash it.
£54
John & Ann Turbervill
Wow, what an epic challenge, and for a great cause
£54
Anne O'toole
Good luck with the training Mark, a fabulous challenge, we've every confidence in you, Anne and Martin
£54
Pt
£53.32
Kym Munro
Amazing challenge Taff, and for such a fabulous cause. So, so impressed. Live life x
£53.32
Andrew And Carol
All the best with this mega challenge Taff
£53.32
Andrew Jones
Good luck Taff, a real challenge for a great cause. All best wishes Andy
£53.32
Bob & Justine
Happy birthday Taff! Just keep pedalling!
£53.32
Ben Smith
Have an amazing time completing your amazing challenge
£53.32
Ben Wakely
Fantastic effort Taff! You should be very proud of yourself!
£53.32
Laurence & Rachel
£50
Anonymous
You were so excited/terrified in equal measure when we spoke at Alistair and Cath's party the least we can do is spur you on !
£50
Eleni And Brendan Mcilroy
Looking forward to the pictures. Have an amazing time.
£50
Rach And Toph
Go Taff go! (…and come back again)
£43.20
Angus And Marion Currie
Thanks for your assistance and support during our C2M tour in May/June. Quite a challenge for your 60th Taff! Best wishes for the training and the big event.
£43.20
Lloydie
FairPlay to you & best of luck pal 💪
£40
Suzanne And David
Best of luck (and fun) - wind on your back!
£37.67
Richard Wilson
Amazing, Taff - a remarkable able achievement. My donation may seem to be an odd amount but it’s 1p for each of the 3,519km that you rode over the last three weeks. Brilliant!
£32.40
Jonathan Bell
Oophh! Better get the training in. Chapeau.
£32.23
Hubb Cunningham
Go Taff go ! Take it steady in the heat !
£30
Steve Millard
Top job.
£30
Frances Anderson
What a great cause. And a truly awesome challenge! All the best for your training
£30
Sara Herriott
You are bonkers but brilliant. Great cause!
£27.05
Jason Bennett
Best of luck taff.....
£27.05
Anonymous
£27.05
Peter Green
£27.05
Chris Corrigan
Best of Luck Taff, the next pint at the TR is on us👊👊👍
£27.05
Ian Smith & Nicola
Good luck Taff. An impressive effort!
£27.05
Lisa Roberts
Good luck Taff on the ultimate cycling challenge for a brilliant cause. Eat loads and sleep well! X
£27.05
Liz Smith
Hope you're having a great time and managing to stay hydrated!!
£27.05
David Stephenson
How did you get on Taff?
£27
Angus J
Wow - an amazing challenge. Enjoy!
£27
Cymric Buildings
£27
Helen Hopkins
£27
Adam
Fantastic trip. Chapeau!
£27
Tim Jarvis
Best of luck Taff
£27
Ali Ballantyne
Good luck Taff, enjoy this awesome journey!
£27
Belinda Green
You are going to smash this!
£27
Andrew Shrimpton
All the best Taff on your amazing challenge. I look forward to riding with you in Majorca in May 👍
£27
Debs English
Best of luck to you Taff.. no better man for a climb!!
£27
Anonymous
Good luck Taff, great ride and great cause
£27
Tony M
Great challenge ........... Good luck.
£27
Peter Green
Good luck Taff - look forward to seeing the photos!
£27
Nicola Jordan
Simply amazing! It’s a HUGE undertaking but bet you will be brilliant!!! Bravo
£27
Pete Sawyer
Good luck Taff, you nutter!
£27
Neil Fearnley
You’ve got this Taff! Look forward to summit photos
£27
Dad
Gotta do stuff …
£26.45
Ian
Amazing Taff! Hope to meet you again in Majorca some sunny day!
£25
Andrew Shaw
£25
David & Jane Turner
Well done, Taff. Superb effort. We'll think of you when pushing up those hills in Portugal.
£25
Michael Donkin
I guess your car has broken down then? Best get on your bike, young lad. Good luck! 🍀
£25
Alan Sealy
£25
Jason Morley
A fantastic adventure, well done mate.
£25
Floyd
Yep, yer mad!
£25
Vanda
You will smash it!
£25
Cerys
Good luck Taff, the Coopers will be cheering you on xx
£25
Jackie Evans
To someone who supported me loads..... Go for it!
£25
Paddy And Ben
Good luck Taff! Won’t be feeling jealous. Do they have a brew van?
£25
Tony Horton
You are an utter inspiration and all this for an amazing cause. Good luck!
£25
Paul & Kathy
Take plenty of Welsh cakes Taff, you're going to need them!
£25
Sally Graff
Go Taff - good luck from Sean & Sally
£21.84
Philip Davies
Taff is a legend
£21.84
Carwyn And Teresa
Full of admiration! Savour every minute Taff.
£21.60
Gary Mckay
Jealous, but not jealous!
£21.60
Jill Cook
Go Taff, good luck with the training!
£21.60
Graham Tee
Good luck Taff
£21.60
Chris Atkins
What a challenge! Go smash it Taff.
£21.60
Dave And Julie
Fair play Taff, that’s a biggie, best of luck and slap on the bum cream!
£21.60
Shirley Campbell
An amazing achievement
£20
Billingtons
Good luck Taff, think you are mad !
£20
Richard Harrington
Good luck, best wishes for a tail wind all the way
£20
Karen Bennett
Good luck with the most insane challenge I’ve heard all year. You definitely got in there first for my annual Christmas donation.
£20
Tom Knight
Amazing challenge, Taff, following you on Strava every day.
£17.62
Ali Park
Blimey …. X
£11.33
Anne
Wow! Congratulations on achieving such an amazing goal for such a worthwhile cause.
£11.33
Stephanie Berning
£10.80
Martina Avards
Taff, try and stay injury free, and healthy, and show up in late June and give it your best go over 21 stages of around 100 miles. Good luck! This is amazing work and yes the charity too sounds fantastic! 😎😎
£10.80
Shaun Bamford
Good luck mate you will smash it
£10.80
Margaret Milner
Good for you. Best of luck.
£10
Louise Balaam
Good luck! It's a fab ride for a great charity, you'll smash it :-) Lou & Ian x
£10
Carolyn
Good luck with your challenge, look forward to following your antics.
£5.40
Nynke
Good luck mate! Better save up for all the fig rolls you'll need to complete this
Wishing you all best of luck in your amazing endeavour…. From all at Tibico