Here at Doitforcharity and Skyline Events we’ve been lucky enough to witness some monumental occasions in our participant’s lives, whether it be them overcoming some serious personal or physical challenges, raising incredible funds for their cause, or finding LOVE.
Cupid has been very busy on our trips, treks and cycles throughout the years and what better way to celebrate the holiday of love than with a little look into the softer side of our epic challenges.
First we start with one of our amazing London to Paris Cyclists Mark. Mark took on the epic challenge of cycling from London to Paris for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust with us in 2012…
The trip
Having spoken to most people taking part on facebook, it was nice to meet everyone face to face. Everyone was so nice and it was good to see there was a mixture of ages and fitness levels all represented. Everyone was nervous and excited, but the organisation running the trip, Sky Line, were absolutely amazing. They put people at ease and created a real sense of adventure.
I carried a bag on my back the whole trip. This bag contained jelly babies, my pump, a waterproof jacket and a pretty expensive engagement ring. The ring was in the box. The box was wrapped in a waterproof bag. The waterproof bag was wrapped in a pair of socks. There was no way the ring could have fallen out of my bag at any point, but this did not stop me stopping every 15 miles or so, checking that it was still there!
I felt like Frodo Baggins, on a journey with a ring! Except this ring wasn’t evil and there were no orcs, but you get the comparison’
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The Proposal
You would think I would have been so nervous that night that I would not be able to sleep, but having cycled 270 miles, it was no problem.The final day was easier that the previous three with less hills and lovely weather. Everyone was excited and joyous to be completing the challenge and meeting up with their families. We travelled in a huge convoy for the last 10 miles or so. All together, laughing and joking. We rode down the champs-elysees and could see the Eiffel tower in the distance.
We reached the finish line and it was impossible not to get a little emotional. Locals as well as tourists were clapping us in, tapping us on the backs and taking pictures. It felt amazing. Seeing Hannah in the crowd, I tried to wave at her, but was so nervous, I almost fell off my bike, so decided to play it cool from there on in.
I don’t remember too much after that. The previous days I had come up with what I was going to say to Hannah before I got on one knee. It was genius! It was perfect! It went right out the window! I think I mumbled something along the lines of ‘love you, marry me?’
I got down on one knee, reached into my bag and pulled out the ring (which I had previously removed from the many protective layers). She immediately said yes and started to cry. The group clapped and cheered and champagne was popped. As the od cliché goes, It was the happiest day of my life.
We are now currently planning our wedding which is panned for 30th August 2014
A proposal in front of the Eiffel tower is just about as romantic and special as it gets, believe me we were all swooning over this for weeks! Now moving onto a couple that took part in a trek together for the fantastic St Giles Hospice. In 2013 Helen and Gavin tackled the amazing Vietnam Trek.
Helen’s Story
I’m a staff nurse that works for St Giles Hospice, I had received an email that advertised the trek and really wanted a challenge. I have first hand experience of what a great charity St Giles is and knew it was worth fundraising for. The trek was amazing and truly life changing. It was brilliant meeting a group of people who all had very personal and heartwarming reasons for doing the trek, who will now all hopefully be friends for life.
I had struggled with groin and hip pain throughout the trek so I found all of the steep inclines very challenging. Gav really helped me get through it, I’m so glad he was there with me. Vietnam is a beautiful country with such wonderful friendly people. Such a contrast from busy Hanoi to peaceful and stunning rural countryside.
