O2e 2019 has started with a BANG with a fabulously successful Launch night on 23rd January, at least 35 events already committed and 17 pledges picked out of the pot during the Launch night Lucky Dip. Well done to all those brave Dippers! I’ll be bringing you news of these events and pledges throughout the year. For now, let me begin with news of events that have already been started and indeed one monster challenge that is already complete!
Skelly 400 2019
The Skelly 400 event is a legacy of Paul Skelly, an O2e superman who sadly passed away two years ago. Paul’s challenge was to cycle 400 miles in January, either 10 miles a day with 100 miles on one day (the GRAN FONDO event) or 400 miles any way you can (EPIC event). These are chunky challenges during the summer months, but in January the riders have to cope with dark skies, the relentless cold, rain, sleet, snow and flu (which did for a couple). In all there were 17 O2e superheros who completed these challenges: So give it up for the following riders, who did a fantastic job with gritted teeth and relentless determination:
EPIC: Maura Spencer, Ollie Rastall, Roger Oxford, Ollie Wade, Ben Hardey, James Goodger, David Plews, Daniel Diment, , Toby Litton
GRAN FONDO: Pat Markey, Brett Aldridge, Alan Connolly, Derek Martin, Matthew Cobbold, David Heylin, Stuart Pocock and moi Well done to all you riders. Same time next year?!
Happy Birthday Princess Leah!
Princess Leah Slattery, gorgeous daughter of Slatts McSlatts and Jackie, celebrated her 17th birthday recently and requested donations to O2e instead of lavish gifts. This generous gesture has already raised a whopping £140.63 with gift aid; let’s see if we can get Leah to £200
www.justgiving.com/leah’sbirthday
Finty closes in on 100×100 park runs
Fintan O’Regan continues to notch up park runs in obscure places, the latest being Malling in Kent. This is his 77th different park run location as he gets closer to 100 in 100 locations. Four more to come in February and 91% of his fund raising target of £750 already in the bag. Crack on Fin, great job!
Six nations sweepstake
Thirty seven rugby fanatics have entered DDs O2e 6-nations rugby sweep and will be nervously watching the games and hoping to see their guesses win them the first prize come 16th March. Winner collects £37 plus the glory of winning the magnificent Cressbrook Cup. O2e also benefits to the tune of £55 and counting. Too late for new entries now but maybe a repeat event for the Rugby World Cup later this year (September to November)….. Watch this space.
The Cressbrook plus untold riches for the winner of DDs 6-nations rugby sweepstake. The Ireland vs England result has blown a number of predictions but England and Ireland have still got to play Wales….
Frank Illet and son Ollie smashing press ups
An event for 2018 which is well deserving of a mention. Frank Illet and his son Ollie (17 years old) set out to do 25,000 press ups in 2018, a target they well and truly smashed with “I’m the Daddy” Frank achieving 27,350 press ups whilst “I’ll be the Daddy one day” Ollie achieving a mere 26,990. Magnificent effort chaps; no doubt a few notches fitter and also a magnificent £500 donated to O2e, well done. Same again next year Frank and Ollster?
Bike for Jess!
O2e does more than raise huge amounts of money for worthy causes. Jess of ELHAP courageously took part and finished Big Kev’s Bike Ride in France 2018 on a sit up and beg bicycle from the 1950s. Touched by her fighting spirit, John Berry promised to build her a modern light weight bike from bits he had hanging around. True to his word he recently delivered said bike to a delighted Jess. Thanks very much John – you are a super speedy one who finished before some were out of their beds.
Posse Monmouthshire Bike Ride Spectacular
Just a few of the 40 places left for this fabulous cycling weekend in the delightful Monmouthshire countryside during 17 to 19 May. All abilities welcome. Drop Nick a line to reserve your place before it’s too late; nick.john@allmetex.com. Limited availability of hotels in this beautiful part of the world means 40 is an absolute max. The hardest part is making the initial commitment….
Granty’s Celebrity Darts Night
A very special date for your diary for all you darts fans out there.
Tuesday 26th March at 6pm at the Paris grill restaurant, Crutched Friars, London, EC3N 2AE ( just off Fenchurch Street ). Teams of 4 will have the chance to play against two legends of the game in Dennis ‘the Menace’ Priestley and Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams, with commentary by Sky Sports presenter Bianca Westwood. £300 per team of 4 or £25 for spectators, the ticket price includes food and lots of free booze (until the generous bar tab runs out).
All money made from ticket sales, donations and auction will be donated directly to prostate cancer and O2e via the website https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EDFManDarts. In addition, the total raised on the night will be doubled by ED&F Man, so get your darts team together and pay £300 to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EDFManDarts or simply come along and support the lads as a supporter. Big night guaranteed!
Email Granty at ghoward@edfmancapital.com for more details.
Comments, suggestions, event information, donations, news, photographs….send them all to me at dbd60@hotmail.com
Have a great weekend, enjoy the rugby, come on Wales!
DDxx
07764682332