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
£150
Dave Clennell
£108
Peter
Good luck Taff! As I said.. train… train… and then some more! You’ll smash it👍
£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.
£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
£50
Rach And Toph
Go Taff go! (…and come back again)
£43.20
Lloydie
FairPlay to you & best of luck pal 💪
£32.40
Jonathan Bell
Oophh! Better get the training in. Chapeau.
£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
Adam
Fantastic trip. Chapeau!
£27
Tim Jarvis
Best of luck Taff
£27
Ali Ballantyne
Good luck Taff, enjoy this awesome journey!
£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
Dad
Gotta do stuff …
£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
£21.60
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
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.
£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.
£5.40
Nynke
Good luck mate! Better save up for all the fig rolls you'll need to complete this
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