Leamington Peace Festival Ride

On the Sunday of last weekend's Leamington Peace Festival, nine riders took a break from the temptation of tarot card readers, hopi ear candles and wholewheat veggie burgers and set out from the Buwan Kothi International Trust's tent into the Warwickshire countryside, riding the 25-mile route of the Buwan Kothi Challenge 2009.

Preparations for the ride are now almost complete - with just one month to go, if you haven't registered yet, then you need to do so as soon as possible.

Route Map for Buwan Kothi Challenge 2009

The route map for this year's Buwan Kothi Challenge is now available to download [PDF, 809K].

Easter Sunday Training Ride

Photos from the training ride on Easter Sunday, starting in Leamington Spa and following the shorter 25-mile route option for this summer's Buwan Kothi Challenge, which passes Warwick Castle, crosses over the M40 to Charlecote, Wellesbourne, Lighthorne, passing Chesterton Windmill (see below) and on to Harbury and then to Whitnash.

Training Days

See the following for details of forthcoming cycle training sessions in London and Leamington Spa:

Getting ready for the BKIT Challenge 2009

Now that people have started to return their registration forms for this year's Buwan Kothi Challenge, so it is time to offer some tips on getting prepared.

Set up a Justgiving web page

1. Once you have decided how much you plan to fundraise, this is fairly straightforward. Click on the image below to get started.



Click on 'Create Your Page' and then select your event (there's only one choice!)

Then you simply need to create an account and edit your fundraising page.

2. Stuck for a photo to use on your page? What about one of the Gilly Mundy Memorial Community School's first pupils? You can find this by clicking here.

3. If you need some text for the personal message on your page, then maybe the following will help:

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Last year, the Buwan Kothi Challenge involved a cycle ride from Oxford to Leamington Spa. The forty seven riders who took part managed to raise over £15,000 towards construction of the Gilly Mundy Memorial Community School and since 2007, the annual Buwan Kothi Challenge has raised over £35,000. Thanks to the efforts of cyclists, the school opened in March 2008 and is now celebrating the end of its first successful year.

You can find out more by visiting the Buwan Kothi International Trust's website at www.buwankothi.org.uk

This year, we hope to raise more money for the next phase of the project - to build a Community Resource Centre that includes a library, a doctor's surgery and meeting spaces for local people.

How? By completing the 2009 Challenge - a 50-mile route for experienced riders or 25-miles for less confident cyclists, starting and finishing in Leamington Spa in Warwickshire.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Buwan Kothi International Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

3. Tell your friends - e-mail the link for your page to as many people as possible.

4. Let us know your web page is up so we can help to publicise your efforts.

Speak to friends and colleagues

Not everyone will want to sponsor you on-line, so we have a sponsorship form that you can use.

Download the Sponsorship Form (156KB)

Get training!

The weeks will soon fly by, so you need to get out on your bike and practice. Check this website for details of training sessions or if you are in London, join Cilius Victor's mailing list by dropping us a line.

First Training Ride - Before the Snow

Sukhwant, Jasbir, Cilius and Kevin managed to make it out on a freezing Sunday to ride from Forest Gate to Little Venice (near Paddington) via Islington, a round trip of about 20 miles. Luckily they made it back before London re-entered the ice age...

If you are in London and want to take part in training for this year's Buwan Kothi Challenge, contact Cilius to be added to the mailing list

Announcing... The Buwan Kothi Challenge 2009

The Buwan Kothi Challenge 2009 sponsored cycle ride will take place on

Sunday 19 July

starting and finishing in Leamington Spa. This year there are two distances - 25 miles for inexperienced cyclists and 50 miles for the more ambitious

If you are planning to ride, or to help out on the day as part of the Support Team, we'd really appreciate it if you would register in advance so we have a clearer idea of who will be taking part.

A registration form is available as a download on our website. [Word, 155KB]

Please complete and return it by e-mail or by post to

Buwan Kothi International Trust
PO Box 51077
London E7 7AL

Mission Accomplished!

Yesterday, 47 cyclists made it over the hills and through the energy-sapping head wind to complete the Buwan Kothi Challenge. For photos from the day, click on the album below:

Buwan Kothi Challenge 2008

Details Finalised for Buwan Kothi Challenge 2008

With a week to go, we have finalised the details for the Buwan Kothi Challenge 2008 with a Route Guide and general information for cyclists and supporters.

Please make sure you read the general information, which includes important details about train times and what you need to bring with you.

Last year, we asked riders to print off the Route Guide and bring a copy with them. Almost no-one did, which meant that a few ended up getting lost.

So PLEASE PRINT OFF THE MAPS!!

DOWNLOADS

Stage 1 - Oxford to Wootton [380K]
Stage 2 - Wootton to Hook Norton [169K]
Stage 3 - Hook Norton to Whatcote [102K]
Stage 4 - Whatcote to Leamington Spa [204K]
General information for Cyclists and Supporters [83K]

Please can you confirm whether you plan to stay overnight in Leamington Spa so we can arrange accommodation.

Getting ready for the BKIT Challenge 2008

There are quite a few people volunteering now to take part in this year's Buwan Kothi Challenge, so it is time to offer some tips on getting prepared.

Set up a Justgiving web page

1. Once you have decided how much you plan to fundraise, this is fairly straightforward. Click on the image below to get started.



Click on 'Create Your Page' and then select your event (there's only one choice!)

Then you simply need to create an account and edit your fundraising page.

2. Stuck for a photo to use on your page? What about one of the Gilly Mundy Memorial Community School's first pupils? You can find this by clicking here.

3. If you need some text for the personal message on your page, then maybe the following will help:

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Last year, the Buwan Kothi Challenge was to ride 58 miles from Bethnal Green in London to Priory Park in Southend-on-Sea. Incredibly, the 26 riders who took part managed to raise a staggering £20,696.04 towards the construction of the Gilly Mundy Memorial Community School. Thanks to their efforts, the school opened in March 2008.

You can find out more by visiting the Buwan Kothi International Trust's website at www.buwankothi.org.uk

This year, we hope to raise more money for the next phase of the project - to build a community resource centre that includes a library, a doctor's surgery and meeting spaces for local people.

How? By completing the 2008 Challenge - a 55-mile ride from the centre of Oxford to Leamington Spa in Warwickshire.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Buwan Kothi International Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

3. Tell your friends - e-mail the link for your page to as many people as possible.

4. Let us know your web page is up so we can help to publicise your efforts.

Speak to friends and colleagues

Not everyone will want to sponsor you on-line, so we have a sponsorship form that you can use.

Download the Sponsorship Form (156KB)

You can also order some mini-cards to help with sponsorship - the standard ones look like this:


Front (the School)





Back




These can be ordered for £13.98 incl postage for 100 and if you wish, the message can be personalised and advertise your Justgiving page. Contact us if you'd like to order either the standard cards or your own version.

Get training!

The weeks will soon fly by, so you need to get out on your bike and practice. Check this website for details of training sessions or if you are in London, join Cilius' mailing list by dropping us a line.

Another BKIT Bike Ride - Lands End to John O'Groats!

If you thought Oxford to Leamington Spa was a long way, then stand back in wonder at the feat that will be attempted in June.

Chris Clark (brother of Steph, one of BKIT's Trustees) is attempting to raise one pound for each mile he cycles on the 950 mile journey from Land's End to John O'Groats, with proceeds to the Buwan Kothi International Trust.

Starting on 6th June, Chris hopes to be in John O'Groats by 16th June by cycling an average of 95 miles a day....

Your sponsorship will help drive him on his long journey! You can support Chris by sponsoring him at www.justgiving.com/chrisclark4buwankothi

Announcing... The Buwan Kothi Challenge 2008

A date for your diaries - for the Buwan Kothi Challenge 2008:

The provisional route starts in the city of Oxford, out through the beautiful countryside of north Oxfordshire towards Hook Norton. We will cycle across the border into Warwickshire and pass through Whatcote before heading north, crossing the ancient Fosse Way and passing through Wellesbourne, Bishops Tachbrook and heading for a triumpant entry into Leamington Spa.

Press Coverage

Stratford and Newham Express - 18 July

Charity cycle ride to honour a dear friend

TWO friends from Forest Gate have organised a charity cycle ride in memory of a campaigner.

Kevin Blowe and Cilius Victor will be cycling 58 miles from Bethnal Green to Southend-on-Sea.

They hope to raise £7,000 to help build a school in India in memory of their friend Gilly Mundy.

Gilly, who had worked at Newham Monitoring Project, died suddenly from a stroke in March, at the age of 36.

He had been a committee member and caseworker at the anti-racist group in Harold Road, Plaistow and later worked for the charity Inquest.

Kevin, of Rothsay Road, and Cilius, of Godwin Road, will set off with 15 other cyclists on Sunday, July 22.

They will be joined by Gilly's family and friends from Leamington Spa in Warwickshire.

Sponsorship money will go to the Buwan Kothi International Trust, of which Gilly Mundy was a trustee. It aims to raise £50,000 to build the Gilly Singh Mundy Memorial Institute in an isolated rural community in Haryana, northern India.

The building will include a school and a resource centre, encouraging farmers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices.

Enough money has already been raised to start construction work later this year.

Kevin Blowe has also been involved with Newham Monitoring Project, for 16 years, and works for the charity Aston-Mansfield at Durning Hall Community Centre in Forest Gate.

He said: "Earlier this year, we planned to raise money for the Buwan Kothi International Trust by cycling to Southend and Gilly always intended to be one of those that took part.

"His sudden and tragic death, at such a young age, has given his friends a powerful incentive to raise funds to build a fitting tribute to his memory, one that reflects the person he was - a man who cared passionately about others.

"Land has already been purchased in Haryana and we hope that the foundations for the school and resource centre will be laid later this year.

"If we can raise enough money, children and their families in a very isolated rural community in India will finally have access to decent education by the start of the new academic year in September 2008.

Fundraising total to date

Just to let you all know that as of this evening, we have raised an extraordinary

£16,091.74

That's just from the information that is available from those who have a Just Giving account - it doesn't include any 'offline' sponsorship that hasn't been added to people's totals.

And with the Gift Aid added, it means we have raised over twenty grand.

We made it!

Congratulations to all the riders who managed fifty-eight often gruelling miles from London to Southend on the only sunny day in July - see the photos below for proof that we made it!


Click on the picture below to open the album.

Buwan Kothi Challenge