312 RIDE AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Leigh Morgan - together with a group of colleagues, friends, and clients - has taken on the huge challenge of racing his bike 312 km (195 miles) around the island of Mallorca on 28 April 2018.  That's a lot of miles to do in a single day!  And, as if that is not challenge enough, the total climbs during the race represent a height of 5,050 m (16,410 ft!)!

Click here to see the gruelling 312 route!

As well as becoming a Dad for the 4th time in December 2017, Leigh runs his demanding real estate business, Morgan & Morgan, in Mallorca which involves commuting between his home in Chester and his business in Pollensa.  So training has to be fitted around all these conflicting demands and, as you can see from the photo, it has not been without its challenges.  As well as the physical challenges, he has had to deal with catastrophic  bike punctures in the middle of nowhere.

Leigh wants this challenge to be more than just an individual achievement by also raising money for a very worthy cause - victims of domestic violence.  Leigh’s work involves finding luxury homes for discerning buyers but he is also acutely aware of the huge problem of domestic violence where victims are often left with nowhere to live.  In his words:

“Everyone deserves to have a roof over their head and feel safe on this beautiful island.”

Domestic abuse is a serious problem in the Balearic Islands, of which Mallorca is one.  Nearly 30 people in every 10,000 living there experience domestic violence - double the national average for Spain.  This equates to a conservative estimate of around 100 people abused every month.  The victims are both locals and people who are either on holiday or who have chosen to make their home there.

The victims of domestic abuse are predominantly women, often with young children.   The abuser is usually a husband or partner and the courts frequently impose a custodial sentence when a guilty verdict is handed down.

Some women flee their homes with the clothes they stand up in and a child in each hand and desperately need shelter and help to replace the things they have left behind in their home - food, change of clothes, personal hygiene products, toys for the children, etc.  Just imagine what you would need if you fled your home and could not return for fear of you and your children being in serious danger.

Leigh give his support by passing on your very generous donations to North Mallorca Branch of Calvia Lions (NMBCL), a registered charity which is one of the many Lions International Clubs around the world.  NMBCL  is raising money to give immediate aid to victims of domestic abuse.  Until the wheels of bureaucracy have turned, the local Social Services cannot give financial support and that is where NMBCL cans help.  It can take as long as 2 months for all the Social Services' paperwork to be put in place to help victims.  NMBCL has already helped victims with the provision of translators at the police station for non-Spanish speakers and essential items which are needed at the point where a victim flees their home.  It has also helped with providing school lunches when a victim's income is greatly reduced when the husband/partner's income is lost when they are sent to prison.

There is no safe house for domestic abuse victims in the north of Mallorca but a plan is in place to provide one.  The first phase of this will cost upwards of €100,000 just to provide 4 suitable rooms.  The local Town Hall  has started the project but its budgets are limited, so NMBCL also want to use the money to provide items that will help to equip the rooms so that the house is ready for use as soon as possible.

NMBCL never give support in cash but pay for things that victims are in desperate need of.  This is done in association with the Police and Social Services department so that all aid is for a bona fide victim.  Morgan & Morgan are paying the entry fees for the race so your donation will not go towards this.


There is an old cliche that says "from little acorns, do great oak trees grow."  This is true of charitable donations, too.  Even very small donations can make a huge difference when a lot of people give their support.

It is also true that when people embark on an extreme physical challenge that final push to finish the course is achieved if they are not only doing it for themselves but for a worthy cause.

So if you want to help Leigh succeed in his challenge and support victims of domestic violence in north Mallorca, please donate what you can.

Thank you for taking the time to read this far and for any support you can give.   The donations are taken in Euros as they will be paid directly into the NMBCL registered charity bank account.

NMBCL are a branch of registered charity Club de Leones de Costa de Calvia (Coast of Calvia Lions Club) with NIF (National Fiscal Identification) number G07525447.