Ludlow to Chepstow

Conventional wisdom says that, due to the prevailing south-westerly winds, it is easier to LEJOG than to JOGLE. However another day of stiff north-easterlies made the journey from Ludlow to Chepstow somewhat easier than it would otherwise have been, and left us wondering whether traversing the country from north to south wasn't such a bad idea after all. Infact, we made such good progress that we even had time for a quick nap on the grass next to the river in Monmouth. In the evening, Chris and Cynthia drove over from Bristol and met us for dinner at an Indian restaurant in Chepstow. After relaying the ups and downs of the journey so far we tucked into our Vegtable Biryani and Chicken Balti. More north-easterlies expected tomorrow then.

In addition to the personal satisfaction of completing the JOGLE I am also trying to raise awareness of the 'Christina Fund'. Christina's father Sean Davy was killed in a hit and run collision in March this year, leaving behind a much doted on 21 month old daughter, Christina, and partner Claire Montford, a part-time nurse at University Hospital, North Staffordshire.

Christina, born 3 months prematurely weighing in at just two-and-a-half pounds, had been hospitalised for some 5 months and has since had more hospital admissions suffering from a host of health problems (often stopping breathing as well as the occasional respiratory arrests, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, severe gastric refluxes, and broken ribs due to her fragility). Her parents had spent 18 stressful months caring for her special needs including feeding, swallowing and breathing.

Following such a poor start in her young life, friends and colleagues at Granvilles restaurant, Staffordshire, where Sean was the highly regarded Head Chef, have set up a trust fund and thrown themselves into organising a series of fund-raising events to raise money towards his daughter's future. So far, an art auction, a music event, and a charity football match have raised circa £8,000.

Should you wish to find out more or to make a contribution to the Christina Fund please email chris@chrisjharvey.f2s.com for the sponsorship form.

Thankyou.