Fireflies 2012. Cycling 1000Km Over the Alps for Leuka

I’m raising money for an excellent charity called Leuka. Leuka supports research and treatment of Leukaemia at the Hammersmith Hospital in London. Since 2010 Leukaemia has had a major impact on the lives of loved ones close to me and this ride represents a great way for me to show support whilst being proactive in the fight against this very nasty illness.

FireFlies: 50 amateurs cyclists, recruited from the media/film industry, do this each year and in the 12 years since forming have raised £1.2million for Leuka. Having now raised in excess of the £2,000 target for Leuka I will now honour all those donations by busting my 82Kg over some of the toughest cycling roads in the world. The stats are: 1,000Km in 8 days of riding including at least 19 mountains in Italy, Switzerland and France most of which will have featured in the Tour de France or Giro d'Italia - and all in any weather conditions the alpine gods deliver.

I am still looking for donations. Even £5 helps this great charity. Please visit my Just Giving site if you  would like to donate; http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AshleyBriggs. Donations are welcome whilst I'm riding (good for the legs!) and even when I've finished.

100% of donations goes to Leuka.

And.... seeing that I have made the £2,000 target I will also be honouring my word by giving £25 per successful mountain climb to the Swedish charity Barn Cancer Fonden.

Please check in to this page between 11th - 20th June as we cycle, as it'll turn into a photojournalism-esque micro blog. Thanks! Ash.

what i might look like arriving at the hotel day #1

Photography: Richard Lewisohn.

vmi donate £500 to Sponsor Me

A fantastic £500 has been donated to Leuka by top London digital facilities company VMI. Huge thanks to VMI's managing director, and ex-Firefly, Barry Bassett. I'll be the proud wearer of a VMI endorsed Rapha cycling jacket for the ride. If you work in the industry go and pencil your next HD package with VMI now.

http://vmi.tv/

ESSENTIAL LINKS!

Leuka: http://www.leuka.org.uk/

Barn Cancer Fonden: http://www.barncancerfonden.se/Om-oss/In-English/

FireFlies HQ: http://www.thefirefliestour.com/

FireFlies Twitter: http://twitter.com/firefliestour

FireFlies Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheFirefliesTour

Leuka: Good luck on the Fireflies Tour and Thank You

Dear Fireflies
 
On behalf of all the Leuka Trustees, our Chief Executive Olive Boles and everyone here at Leuka, I would like to say a HUGE thank you to you all for taking part in the 2012 Fireflies Tour to raise funds for Leuka and to wish you all a safe and happy Ride.
 
We very much hope that you all enjoy the challenges of the Tour, that the weather is kind to you and that you all arrive safely in Cannes on 20th June.
 
To date the Fireflies Tour has raised over £1.2 million for Leuka, which is an amazing achievement – and with your help that total will continue to rise.  The funds  you raise on this year’s Tour  will be used to fund vital research into the causes and treatment of leukaemia predominantly at the Catherine Lewis Centre at the Hammersmith Hospital, the impact of which is felt around the world.  Please be assured that your amazing efforts will make a real difference in the global fight to find a cure for blood cancer.  
 
Bon Voyage!
 
Very best wishes
 
Sally

(Sally Oakley Smith, Leuka)

Here's How Difficult We Expect It to be

Press play and/or full screen icon. Director: Chris Cairns.

Photography: Richard Lewisohn

Ash's 'Excitement vs Anxiety - O - Meter': 8th June

Excitement: 6

Anxiety: 4

Leuka Donation as of 8th June