Posts – Page 50

Back in the Saddle – Update 11

August 7, 2021April 13, 2022 admin

Thankfully it wasn’t far from Salisbury to Stonehenge, so I’ve already reached my next checkpoint on my exercise bike challenge. It’s going to be a while before my next update as I need to get all the way up to Oxford and that’s 110km away. Should be there by October though.

I’m glad this is a virtual challenge, I’m not sure I’d take a real bike up the A34! I guess I could at least take a break at Chieveley services like we used to when we did collections and drop offs of the kids with my parents…

Back in the Saddle – Update 10

August 2, 2021April 13, 2022 admin

Still slowly pedalling on with my exercise bike challenge. Just made it to Salisbury. I’m now 25% of the way through my virtual journey from Lands End to John o’Groats.

Obviously still very behind – 466km to be precise. The red marker, just beyond the half way point, shows where I should be by now, if I were to try and reach the finish by my original target of 24th January 2022. However, life does like to throw extra challenges at us all and over 20 weeks (so far) of fatigue flare has definitely been a whopping challenge for me this year.

John o’Groats will still be there when I do eventually get there. I shall continue to channel my inner Dory and just keep pedalling… pedalling, pedalling… pedalling, pedalling, pedalling, pedalling…

High Wycombe Food Insecurities

July 27, 2021October 6, 2021 Ben Clark

A new study has found that High Wycombe in Bucks is the worst affected area for food insecurity across the UK. The research was carried out by the University of Sheffield Institute for Sustainable Food and used data from the Food Foundation which had surveyed people from across the UK.

Back in the Saddle – Update 9

July 14, 2021April 13, 2022 admin

Yippee! I’ve finally made it to Ringwood! The hare and the tortoise approach is working well. I really don’t mind how far behind schedule I am, because I know I will get there eventually. I’m especially proud of keeping going yesterday and today, bearing in mind swimming might have been a better option! Nothing quite like a burst in a mains pressure water pipe, a non-working stop cock and sorting the ensuing mess that all causes to add to the gaiety of nations…

On to Salisbury I go now…

Meeting Safely Out Of Doors

July 14, 2021October 6, 2021 Ben Clark

Even with the high numbers of people infected with Covid-19, BuDS is not recommending that people go back to or continue shielding. By shielding, we mean completely self-isolating yourself and never meeting other people. We recommend that everyone – even extremely clinically vulnerable people – think about their mental health and continue to meet family, friends and loved ones safely out of doors. This article by the expert BuDS team provides the fact-checked information you need to help you meet people safely out of doors.

If you need help or support or you’re anxious about Covid-19, BuDS is here for you. Please e-mail buds-support@buds.org.uk, call 01494 211179 (voicemail) or message us and we’ll do all we can to help.

Long Covid July 2021 update

July 1, 2021October 6, 2021 Ben Clark

It’s VITAL that everyone knows about LONG COVID, long-term conditions that over a million people have developed after catching the Covid-19 virus. The Government and media are saying that precautions to stop people catching Covid-19 can be abolished because vaccination means only a small number of people will have serious symptoms. However, the Government have not mentioned the EQUALLY important risk to people’s long-term health from Long Covid. But BuDS cares about your health, and we think you need to protect yourself against Long Covid too. Read on to find out more.

Back in the Saddle – Update 8

June 28, 2021April 13, 2022 admin

5 months and 4 days after I started my daft quest of completing the virtual Lands End to John o’Groats challenge on my exercise bike, and despite my ongoing fatigue flare, I have now made it to Bournemouth! If I’d managed to keep to my 5km a day target, I would be up past Leicester by now. However, life had other plans for me this year. I am proud to say though, that I haven’t missed a single day so far, and even a 0.25km distance achieved chips a little bit off the overall distance. I will get there eventually.

My next unofficial target is to get to Ringwood. I’m sure I will receive a warm welcome when I get there.

Back in the Saddle – Update 7

May 26, 2021April 13, 2022 admin

I have finally made it! Just 47 days behind when I thought I’d get there, but yes, I am now finally at Durdle Door! This may be one of the slowest journey’s from Lands End to John O’Groats, but it’s not about the speed. It’s about persevering and eventually achieving the goal, despite all the obstacles that life tries to throw in the way.

Next stop is Bournemouth. Thankfully that’s only just over 36km away. I wonder how long that will take me?

Who We Are/Home

May 6, 2021September 23, 2021 Janneke

BuDS are a pan-disability charity that works to break down the barriers that disabled people face. We believe in the Social Model of Disability and are a user-led charity – which means we want to hear from, and work with, you! In just this last year we have taken on our first paid staff,

ant to get involved and help BuDS’ fantastic work? You can donate or fundraise for us – every penny raised goes to our work and we make every penny work very hard. You can also join our volunteer team and make a difference by working on one of our many projects or events. Or why not partner with BuDS – we have win-win relationships with many businesses and organisations. Or just check out and like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

Back in the Saddle – Update 6

April 24, 2021April 13, 2022 admin

I thought it was about time I did a bit of an update about my exercise bike challenge to cycle the equivalent distance from Lands End to John O’Groats. Unfortunately, I’m rather behind due to my continuing fatigue flare. However, I am still going. I’m not getting very far on any one day, but I am still chipping away at it. So, like the famous tortoise, I will get there eventually. I might not quite manage it within the year, but that’s absolutely fine.

Another 40km before I get to the next postcard point at Durdle Door, where I should have been on about 10th April. I’ll let you know when I get there…