Community

Blaze for Malawi

Fred McBreen, managing director of Base52 Ltd has joined with three other local businesses to raise funds for ‘Medic Malawi’. Medic Malawi http://www.medicmalawi.org/ is a UK registered charity which provides financial and practical support to a small community in Malawi (Mtunthama). A small donation can make a big difference.

The ‘Blaze for Malawi’ team which includes Stewart Peart and James Pascoe from Applied IT, John Staveley from T4 Telecommunications and Ron Webster from RA Webster (Associates) Ltd will be taking part in various physical challenges (including a marathon and a long distance cycle ride) and organizing a number of events to raise money for the charity. Fred, Stewart and John are all members of BNI Blaze breakfast club in Hitchin, http://www.bniblaze.co.uk/ - hence the team name.

To donate to Medic Malawi please visit the Just Giving page http://www.justgiving.com/blaze4malawi

Beachy Head Marathon
22nd October 2011

We’ve done it! After 6 months of training the big day finally arrived and all 6 of the Blaze for Malawi team – me, Stewart Peart, James Pascoe, John Stavely, Ron Webster and Paul Morton managed to complete the course.

We would all like to say a huge thank you to Stuart Hyams of Back on Track, Personal Training and Sports Injury Clinic who prepared our training plans and supported us throughout. A massive thank you our breakfast club colleagues at Blaze and to everyone else who has supported us and contributed to our charity. To check how much we have raised so far or to sponsor us, please visit www.justgiving.com/blaze4malawi

Even with all the training, nothing quite prepares you for the Beachy Head course which is very, very hilly. One of our team, Stewart went over on his ankle at around the 16 mile marker and had to hop and limp the last 10 miles or so over the toughest and hilliest part of the course. He had an X ray the following day and found out he had fractured his ankle. Now that’s commitment!

Fred McBreen, 24th October

‘Hitchin to Hitchin’ Cycle ride
23rd to 26th September 2011

This is my Blog of 4 day cycle ride with 5 business colleages – Stewart, John, Laurie, Keith and Tim.

Day 1 Cycle from Hitchin to Milton Keynes. Train to Whitehaven. Cycle to B&B. Total 59 miles.

Wow! That was much tougher than expected. I know I’m fit because I’ve been in training for the marathon next month but I just couldn’t keep up with everyone else. They are on mountain bikes. I have a 20 year old Raleigh Hybrid which I thought would be fine. It probably is fine for trundling around Hitchin but not for long distance cycling with hills. Anyway, game on!  Arriving at Milton Keynes station was heaven. Just about made our train connections with me slowing everything down. Lovely journey along cycle routes 33 and 51, so off road most of way. Arrived late in Whitehaven. Town very quiet. Last heave up hill to the B&B and then a Chinese Restaurant for the evening.

Day 2 Cycle from Whitehaven to Penrith. Total 53 miles

Oh dear! Woke at 6.30 to sound of rain and wind. Not looking forward to today. Set off a bit late from an overcast Whitehaven. Steady climb but not as bad as expected. Puncture on the way fixed by our leader, Stewart. Made Keswick by 3ish. Quick snack at a cafe and arrived in Penrith at about 6. There were a few tough climbs on route with me as the back marker again. All in all though, a better day than expected. Weather turned out ok and we reached Penrith before nightfall. My bike is the source of much banter. It has been compared to Miss Marple’s and there is disappointment that I don’t have a basket on the front.

Day 3 Cycle from Penrith to Allanheads. Total about 40 miles

Shorter run today but with the biggest hills. For me, that was the toughest physical challenge I have ever done. After this, the marathon should be a walk in the park (I might live to regret saying that). There was a very long, exhausting climb to Hartside Top over bleak and windy moorland. At the summit is a café frequented mainly by bikers and cyclists. We tucked into some great food and got ready for the next stage. My coping strategy has been not to look at the maps and see what might be coming. I think if I had known what hills were coming I might have stayed in the café. After a long downhill we climbed again from Garrigill and then again from Nentheads up to over 500m. It was just head down and pedal, pedal, pedal. We arrived in Allanheads at about 6 and stayed in the local pub.

Day 4 Cycle from Allanheads to Newcastle. Train to Stevenage. Cycle to Hitchin. Total about 46 miles

Very tough start with a very steep climb out of Allanheads. What comes up must come down so a great down hill section to Rookhope. One last climb on an off road section to Stanhope, then a lovely long downhill to the Tyne. Great views up on the tops and old mine workings (lead or tin we thought?). Good place for grouse with lots popping up out of the heather. Arrived in Newcastle at lunchtime and found a great pub by the Tyne with burgers and beer for a fiver. Sat outside in the sunshine and felt very satisfied. Final leg was train to Stevenage and race back on cycle route 12 to Hitchin. Two of our party had spilt from us to finish the ‘coast to coast’ in Sunderland. They just beat us back to Hitchin market square. A final drink to celebrate and all off home.

Job done. A great experience and certainly the toughest physical challenge I have ever done. Would I do it again? Not on that bike!

Fred McBreen 27th September