Friends get on their bikes to fund raise for national eye charity
There is an old saying that "the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step forward". For two determined Yorkshire women, the journey of a vital mission starts with a pedal and a push and will see the ladies cover a distance of 650 miles this summer.
Lesley Buxton of Acaster Malbis near York and Jo Walkden of Copmanthorpe have been keen cycling friends for years, even forming their own group, ‘Winos on Wheels' but this year they are teaming up with others to complete five gruelling cycle challenges to raise valuable funds for UK charity MACS (Micro and Anophthalmic Children's Society).
MACS (The Micro and Anophthalmic Children's Society) is the UK's national charity for children born without eyes or with underdeveloped eyes. It supports families of children born with Microphthalmia (small eyes), Anophthalmia (no eyes) and Coloboma (cleft of the eye) and their services are accessed by around 500 families around the UK and further afield.
Jo Walken explained how MACS has been a source of support to the whole family since the birth of Ellie: "One of the most important things they do at MACS is to give their members access to a network of other families who have a first-hand experience of what they are going through. When your child is born with no or little vision, the outlook is quite daunting. By being a member of the MACS family you start to focus on what can be achieved and there is always support to help you overcome the challenges presented along the way. Through the Annual Family weekend and regional support groups, families can offer each other peer support and participate in group activities which include the siblings too.
"We have already cycled 140 miles from Coast to Coast, and last weekend 11 of the ‘Winos on Wheels' rode from Newcastle to Edinburgh to raise money for MACS. Next on the list is Ride London when we will be joined by my husband Tim and friend Mark Food, whose daughter Amelie is also affected by a MACS eye condition and are part of the MACS family. Then it's the York 100 and finally the Ride of the Roses from Lancaster to York in September. We just keep saying - ‘No Pain, No Gain'!"
"Ever since our daughter Ellie was born in 2001, MACS has given our whole family so much over the years and continues to do so. Last year, they gave us a grant to buy a tandem trike which is steered by my husband, Tim and enables us to enjoying riding together as a family. We really want to make sure that we give something back, over and above the emotional support we try to give to new families just starting out on their voyage of discovery. Any help or support that anyone can give us will be hugely appreciated."
You can support Lesley and Jo by donating herehttp://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/MACS2015
Ends
Photos:
Lesley Buxton, Jo Walkden, Tim Walkden and Mark Food at Hartside Summit during the Coast to Coast ride
Jo, Ruby (on back of trike), Ellie (front of trike) and Tim Walkden
The Winos on Wheels ladies at the start of their journey in Newcastle
For more information or to arrange an interview with Lesley Buxton or Jo Walkden, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on
Direct line: 01430 871360
Mobile: 07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60 marketing.co.uk
Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
Yorvale produces an extensive range of dairy ice cream and sorbets. For more information and stockist information, please call 01904 706702 or visitwww.yorvale.co.uk
For more information about MACS, please visithttp://www.macs.org.uk/