Cyclists for Buwan Kothi

Leamington Peace Festival Ride

2009-06-18T16:39:00.007+01:00

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

2009-05-03T11:11:00.004+01:00

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

Easter Sunday Training Ride

2009-04-14T23:48:00.006+01:00

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

2009-04-04T18:46:00.006+01:00

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

Getting ready for the BKIT Challenge 2009

2009-02-28T12:32:00.003Z

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

2009-02-01T21:01:00.000Z

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

2009-01-30T13:40:00.002Z

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!

2008-07-21T21:36:00.000+01:00

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

2008-07-12T21:06:00.003+01:00

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

2008-04-17T19:54:00.006+01:00

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.

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.

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!

2008-04-04T17:15:00.000+01:00

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

2008-01-21T09:52:00.000Z

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

2007-07-29T13:46:00.000+01:00

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

2007-07-25T19:47:00.000+01:00

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!

2007-07-23T11:28:00.000+01:00

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

Article in Newham Recorder - 11th July

2007-07-17T13:51:00.000+01:00

Great to get some publicity -just a shame that the reporter managed to take Cilius Victor of Godwin Road in Forest Gate and create someone called 'Cilius Godwin'...

London Riders - Last Sunday before the Big Day

2007-07-14T09:24:00.000+01:00

A message from Cilius for those not too hungover tomorrow from the celebration tonight of Gilly's life:

We have been shockingly amiss by ignoring folk in North London, they are nice people up North not at all the savages I had been lead to believe. To make amends we are Northward (ish) bound this Sunday. I also remember that some of you want to check out some festival thingy in Victoria Park , so we will finish up in that park about 3.30/4pm ish so you can make arrangements to meet your mates there if you wish. I myself will be dashing off back to Forest Gate at the end.

As for this Sunday, meet at high noon outside South Africa House, Trafalgar Square.

So for some, this could be your last chance for a ride until we hit the London/Southend trail.

Cilius

Route Guide and Maps now available

2007-07-12T11:32:00.000+01:00

Cilius and I drove the route of the bike ride on Saturday and have compiled a Route Guide and a series of maps, which you can download from here:

Route Guide (202K)

Route Maps (2Mb)

There are also requests for help from anyone wanting to be part of the Support Team (436K)

If anyone has any queries, Kevin can be contacted on 07977 88 55 74

When will the rain ever end?

2007-07-02T22:51:00.000+01:00

Plans to head to Richmond were abandoned due to more rain - so we headed for Camden, and bumped into Amy Winehouse coming out of the Hawley Arms.

Which was nice...

Cycling for London BKIT riders - Sunday 1st July

2007-06-28T16:37:00.000+01:00

I hear last week was another washout. We'll return to the Abbey later.

We will gather a little later than usual. PAY ATTENTION.

Assemble at 2pm, that's TWO PM, (1400hrs) outside South Africa House, Trafalgar Square. We could cut South at any of the bridges, but the North bank ride along the river to Putney is so much nicer. We cross Putney Bridge and head towards Barnes (good jazz there at the Bull's Head), Roehampton and finally Richmond Park.

We'll come back through South London for a change of scene, Brixton (apologise now all who live in South London), Camberwell, cross the river at London Bridge perhaps, or Tower of London - all suggestions of course.

Forest Gate contingent: meet me at 1245hrs, Wandstead Park Station for a leisurely
ride up to Trafalgar Sq.

If you are unable to make it or think the weather is too horrible, please call Kevin on 07977 885574

Cilius

T: 020 8555 9643

Fundraising to date

2007-06-28T11:56:00.001+01:00

Not counting the 'offline' fundraising for the cycle ride, which I know is the preference for a number of the people taking part, as of today we have £3077 raised from the totals on the individual panels on the right-hand column of this website.

It's a fantasic achievement, but we need to raise more. Could everyone e-mail their friends again so we can get as much sponsorship over the next three weeks?

Kevin

Fundraising for BKIT at the Leamington Spa Peace Festival

2007-06-20T13:39:00.000+01:00

The Buwan Kothi International Trust's stall, including the bike that will be first prize in the balloon race.

Ready to launch the balloon race

Lift-off before the rain decends again

Leamington boys in training...

2007-06-15T18:09:00.000+01:00

Discount on bike servicing

2007-06-06T08:58:00.000+01:00

If you are riding on 22 July and are planning on getting your bike checked over beforehand, then this is worth considering.

Ian at Cycle Asylum in Manor Park (www.cycleasylum.co.uk) has said that anyone taking part who comes in and books a service will get a discount. Just mention that you are part of the charity ride to build a school in India.

Cycle Asylum is only open on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday between 10am and 6.30pm.

Mile End to Erith - 3rd June

2007-06-04T10:33:00.000+01:00

George, Cilius, Jasbir and Kevin undertake the 34 miles from Mile End via Greenwich to Erith and back.

Ride to Portobello Road

2007-06-04T10:29:00.001+01:00

Cilius, George, Kevin and Manju ride out to Portobello Rd to visit the legendary Morroccan Cafe.

Ride to Picketts Lock

2007-06-04T10:19:00.000+01:00

Cilius, Rajiv, George and Raggi head up along the River Lea to Picketts Lock

Training this Sunday - 3rd June

2007-06-02T15:52:00.001+01:00

Meet up at high noon on Sunday, under the hanging bit of grass in the sky next to Mile End underground station. The skies are looking good and it's set to be reasonably warm. Bring your sun shades as there will be quite a bit of glare. Spread on some sun block too, you can never be too careful.

Cheers

Cilius

About the Buwan Kothi Challenge 2007

2007-06-02T15:45:00.000+01:00

On 22 July 2007, a number of us will be cycling 58 miles from Victoria Park in Bethnal Green in east London, to Priory Park in Southend-on-Sea, to raise money for the Buwan Kothi International Trust.

The Buwan Kothi International Trust was set up in 2006 to raise money for rural regeneration projects in Haryana in northern India. It was set up by Gilly and Debbie Mundy and inspired by the wonderful welcome given by the people of Buwan Kothi, a small and isolated farming community in Haryana, to everyone who attended Gilly and Debbie's wedding there in December 2005. It has eight Trustees based in London and Leamington Spa.

In the first two years, the aim was always to raise funds to build a primary school in Buwan Kothi, but this has been given an even greater significance by Gilly's sudden death in March 2007. The Trust now aims to name the school 'The Gilly Singh Mundy School and Resource Centre' and to raise £50,000 to build and equip it by the summer of 2008.