“I took on the ‘Cycle around the World 4 PBC Challenge’ to raise awareness of PBC and to fundraise for the Foundation and achieved so much more. Initially people didn’t seem interested, and I became deflated, sure that I was going to fail. But along came summer and with it lots of new participants. People I met whilst out and about or on social media and even members of the PBC Foundation and their friends and families started submitting their miles, they came rolling in and we were well on our way to our target, smashing it with 6 weeks still to go. This challenge for me was really about raising awareness, getting people involved in a cause they had never heard of. I thought I may get 10 to 20 participants. Never did I imagine I’d have 87 people submitting miles. Most of which had never heard of PBC. Although I did not personally cycle as many miles as planned I did go on some epic rides, here are just a few of my favourites! Paignton to Teignmouth (22miles), oh that was a hilly ride but the costal views made it worth it”.

“We Ride Flanders (54miles), my first ever cycling event, cycling through the Flanders region of Belgium, the cobbles were painful but the buzz got me hooked and I can’t wait to do it again this year. Cycling 203 miles in 5 days around my home county, the hottest week of the year couldn’t stop me getting out and enjoying the beautiful quiet roads of Dursley and the surrounding areas, I even made it to Wales and back one afternoon. Finally, my longest ride, from my home to mum’s (70 miles), this is the ride I did for PBC day, it took me to Worcester where my father-in-law joined me as we cycled through the beautiful lanes of Worcestershire on to Tewksbury for a spot of lunch and on down to Gloucester. Here the father-in-law dismounted and I was joined by a dear friend all the way to Mum’s childhood home in Dursley, with a fanfare ready and waiting to cheer us on for the final mile”.

We are truly humbled by Jasmine’s efforts along with those who supported her on her journey and we thank her most sincerely for raising this magnificent sum for the Foundation. To say she is an inspiration is a huge understatement, thank you Jasmine from all at the Foundation.

“The sky dive was both exciting and scary at the same time. It was quite windy on the day so the young man and I came down spinning and quickly, this left me feeling travel sick”.

Wendy was watched and supported at the event by lots of other PBC folk and their families. She raised an outstanding £1,094.89 including gift aid. Wendy decided to do this amazing feat as the Nottingham and Beyond group was set up on May 7th, 10 years ago. The whole group felt a birthday party was in order, but Wendy had other ideas and decided to fundraise for our amazing PBC Foundation. Hence the heroic skydive. But don’t worry, Wendy and the group did party well afterwards with cake.

“I completed my last run on 17^th December which finished off the 13 runs of 10k in full kit. This was a hard and challenging charity event to take on. I have to say that the final run was painful, I decided to finish at the fire station, big mistake! I wasn’t expecting the hill to be quite as painful as it was. It never seems that steep in the car. We raised £1,530 for Fire Fighters Charity and The PBC Foundation. This means a lot to me personally as my wife suffers with PBC. I want to thank all of the PBC Foundation especially the very kind ladies who came out in the freezing conditions to cheer me on. I have to say, the one thing I will take away from this is seeing so many Fire Fighters asking what PBC is and members of the public being educated. So that alone makes it worthwhile.”

Our sincere thanks to Paul for all his hard work, determination and outstanding support in raising funds and awareness for the PBC Foundation.