Having been inspired by a nine year old boy called Tom who recently cycled 300 miles for a local charity I thought I should set myself a challenge. Like many people I am really missing the kids so ,on a recently purchased exercise bike, I decided to virtually cycle to see them - a total of 360miles. My journey takes me to Brighton and to various locations in London. I started on the 1st of February and so far I have cycled  everyday  -150miles to date which takes me to south of Northampton. A charity very close to my heart is a local one in Harrogate called Horticap at Bluecoat wood  Horticap is a charity based in its own nurseries on Otley Road, near Beckwithshaw; in essence they grow plants and people.  Established in 1984 their primary function is to train students, all adults with learning disabilities, in horticulture.  Horticap aims to provide students with a supportive and friendly working environment; develop students’  social and communication abilities; and, help students extend their knowledge and skills through structured training using professionally qualified staff and volunteers.  They rely heavily on the support of the local community and have done more so since the pandemic which has had a huge impact on the way they work, with currently only two students allowed on-site at any one time.  Their patron is Alan Titchmarsh who pops in from time to visit and is a great supporter. The nursery is currently open 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday but as is sadly inevitable, our tea room is closed until further notice which has resulted in a significant loss of income along with the cancellation of last year’s Spring Flower Show and Great Yorkshire Show both of which were important fundraising events for Horticap. Our new building project, which had to be suspended at the start of the pandemic, is now complete and we are welcoming socially distanced customers to our new shop. For further information on Horticap the website is : www.horticap.org By sponsoring me on my virtual bike ride from Harrogate to Brighton and then to London to “visit” the children, you will be a helping hand so that Horticap is in the best possible position to provide for the needs of their students when the crisis subsides. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.  Caroline

Michelle Blinkhorn

Anonymous

Tom Southall

James Marsden

Angela Charleton

Elaine Brummell Smith

Fiona Shotton

Louise Storey

Pauline & Phil Shorter

Bernadette  Reid b

Barbara  Agar

Caroline's Virtual Cycle to see kids for Horticap

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