The Big Uganda Cycle Event

 September is the month of the big Virtual Cycle Ride from Manchester to Kampala. 6470 miles and crossing the Sahara.

At the latest count we have 46 cyclists from USA, New Zealand, Rwanda, Uganda, Ireland and UK and we all pool the miles we will cycle during the month.

We have cyclist aged from 11 to over 80 and some will cycle a short distance and some will be serious Lycra Wearers who are out to win a Yellow Jersey.

But raising a lot of money is the main objective and it is to help complete St Francis de Sales, our second special needs school and aimed at helping deaf and partially sighted young children. These children get very little help in Uganda but we know that if they are given a good helping hand then they can prove that disability does not mean inability.

We will update the Blog lots of times in September to tell you how we are doing.

It is with great sadness that we inform you that two great friends of HUGS, Maureen Matthews and Brian Hargreaves, died very recently. Please remember them in your prayers

If you would like to support the BigUgandaCycleRide the link is

HERE 

We're getting into practice!

Covid 19 stopped our normal Annual Fundraiser which has been either a big Golf Match or last year's Coast to Coast Cycle ride.

So we thought we would do one bigger and better. A Virtual Cycle Ride from Manchester to Kampala. Over 6200 miles.

Our youngest rider is Theo aged 11 this week.

If you don't have a bike maybe you could borrow one for a few days and join in? Just let us know.

Already we have 32 cyclists who have said they would contribute their September cycling miles towards this target.  And of course they will be seeking sponsorship for this marathon event.

virginmoneygiving.com/fund/BigUgandaCycleRide

And if the bike is getting a bit old maybe this is the time to repair it!

More news to come. We start the event on September 1st and finish on September 30th.

Email or phone Peter or Richard if you would like to participate.  07802 793576 for Peter or 07976 885871 for Richard.

Saying Goodbye to a great friend and welcoming new Trustees

Is is with great sadness that we report the death of Maureen Matthews who was very instrumental in Fr John Kyazze coming to St Marys Marple Bridge in 1995 and to the start of HUGS. Maureen did so much for parish activities and for environmental initiatives too. She will be missed very much.

Welcome to two new Trustees, Carmel Dowling and Jessica Williams who will help Richard as we oldies move into retirement.

Uganda has now seen 4 deaths but lockdown and curfew are very much in place. It must be really difficult for people. Schools are closed probably until January, travel by car is very limited, Airports were closed. Hunger is the big problem.

But Government does allow building works to continue.

New Trustee Carmel raised nearly £2000 from Didymus Charity and this has gone to our secondary school for girls for Science equipment.

Most of the money has now been sent to Little Shepherd School at Rutunguru to build a safe accommodation for girls boarding at the school.

At our new school for deaf children work is well underway on roofing the building.

Trustees were very keen to start a fund raising event again this year this year. We have had at least one for the  last 11 years but Covid 19 really stopped us. We had planned a cycle ride to Santiago de Compostela but had to cancel it. Maybe a virtual cycle ride to Uganda? But we couldn't really think how to do this.

So this is a Lockdown Event. If you would like to help us complete St Francis de Sales School for deaf children than perhaps you could support this appeal below.

CLICK HERE. SCHOOL FOR DEAF CHILDREN

And if you are into Social Media then please take a look at our new INSTAGRAM page which is here INSTAGRAM