"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Begin it now."

William Hutchinson Murray

Scottish Mountaineer

(18 March 1913–19 March 1996)

Quoted in

The Scottish Himalayan Expedition (1951)

Dear Friends,

After many months of preparation, the time has finally arrived to bring all of those thousands of miles of training, which have involved, indeed for many of you, blood, sweat, tears, and the inevitable sacrifice in time, emotion, and distance within the lives of your families and loved ones….to this moment in time. The beginning.

You are aware that you’ve already cycled a quarter of the circumference around the world in training before you even arrive at the starting line at Lands End. It’s truly a remarkable achievement. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to the challenge has been truly inspiring.

As you bring your training and experience to that moment that begins at 6am on the morning of the 22^nd June 2008, and whilst your eyes focus on that point Northwards, I hope you may be able find a moment of quiet to reflect on The Race Against Time, and what your ride and sponsorship will mean to people who will benefit from your endeavours, but may never know of you and your boldness, power and genius in participating in this event. Maybe herein lies the magic, for it positively changes lives, for the thousands we can help at least, and hence why your sponsorship money remains paramount, and will continue to do so.

It is a genuine race against time, and with the statistics that you have become familiar with, it’s hard to reconcile what statements such as, ’11 teachers dying every day’, and, ‘5.7 million orphans predicted by 2015’, as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa actually mean. What use would calculating a total for the statement, ‘every 15 seconds an African dies of HIV.AIDS’ over the time you have trained for the event, if it remained unchallenged?

So, perhaps the greatest challenge you have committed to undertake, is to challenge the status quo of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, and to provide real hope, real change, and real tangible help and support to those that would otherwise receive nothing against the tide of this almost unreal pandemic. Nothing is ever insignificant. Of course, that is the real heart that underlays The Race Against Time, and I hope in the years to come when you remember this event, you’ll remember yourselves as, not only superb athletes that faced a challenge of physical and metal endurance, but also as individuals that did not leave a great concern unchallenged.

So it is with genuine gratitude from everyone here at the Bishop Simeon Trust, for your dedication, inspiration, and determined spirit in supporting us and helping us carry on the important work in supporting the many beneficiaries living difficult lives in South Africa. And whilst the next few days of your lives will involve a grueling adrenaline filled 6 day challenge, with aches and pains, and sore bottoms, and 900 miles of adventure, we also hope that they are filled more so with fun, laughter, friendship, and a freedom of spirit and memories that remain with you for a lifetime.

From everyone at The Bishop Simeon Trust……wishing you a safe, enjoyable, and good old-fashioned grand adventure!

Kind regards and all of our best.

BST