A CHARITY CEO has embarked on a 450km cycling challenge which will stop off at more than 100 towns and villages across the Cotswolds along the way.
Jo Hammond is the CEO of Cotswold Friends which is a non-profit organisation in Moreton-in-Marsh which provides friendship, support and transport to older and vulnerable people in the North Cotswold community.
To raise awareness and money for the organisation Jo decided to undertake the Cotswold Tour de Friends challenge.
This impressive cycling challenge commenced at the non-profit organisation's office in Moreton-in-Marsh on Friday, September 1 and aims to finish at Mickleton on Friday, October 20.
She has already passed through Cirencester, Fairford and Lechlade.
The challenge encompasses 14 different cycle rides, and Jo has been visiting the organisation's community activity venues along the way as well as meeting clients, volunteers, funders and partners who support the charity.
Jo completed the Bibury loop part of the challenge - which passed through Bibury, Ampney Crucis, Poulton, Meysey Hampton, Fairford, Lechlade and Arlington - on Tuesday, September 5.
On Friday, September 8, Jo completed the Chedworth loop that went through Chedworth, Rencomb, North Cerney, Baunton, Stratton, Cirencester and Calmsden.
The next phase of the challenge will take place tomorrow, on Friday, September 15 and will go through Temple Guiting, Lower Swell, Upper Swell, Condicote, Hinchwick and Cutsdean.
Jo said: “The aim of my challenge is to raise awareness of the challenges older and vulnerable people face every day, living in our highly rural communities.
"Cotswold Friends helps local people in more than 120 towns and villages across the Cotswolds.
"I’ll be meeting clients, volunteers, funders and partners along the way and visiting our community activity venues – hopefully raising funds towards the ongoing delivery of our community services.
"I’m a bit daunted by the hilly Cotswold terrain - there is over 6000m of climbing in total.
"You might see me walking from time to time up the really steep bits!”
To keep up to date with Jo's progress or to donate visit her JustGiving page at tinyurl.com/2jt3ha7r
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