On Saturday, 27 June 2026, around 100 cyclists will gather in Barcelona for the ‘Grand Départ’. Some will ride for just a few days, others for longer. Over the course of the following three weeks of the Tour, more participants will join us.
Once again, I am one of the 40 chosen ones who will experience the entire Tour.
Now, this isn’t just an event for eccentric enthusiasts who want to cycle through France for three weeks. No, it is also a major charity initiative that generates around £300,000–500,000 in donations for its foundation each year.
The William Wats Memorial Trust
The WWMT was established to honour the life of William Wates (1977–1996), who tragically lost his life whilst travelling through Central America.
The Trust is a registered charity established in 1998 by his brothers, whose mission is to help particularly disadvantaged young people stay away from a life of crime and violence and fulfil their potential. This is achieved primarily by supporting charities that engage young people through sport, the arts and education.
Will was aware of his privileged background and was determined to help others – we, his brothers, believe that the Trust’s aims reflect exactly what he would be championing today if he were still alive.
In 2004, Jonny (one of Will’s brothers) had the brilliant (if slightly mad) idea for ‘Le Loop’, which enabled the Trust to raise further funds beyond the generous donations from friends and family. Since 2012, the event has been open to everyone, and ‘Le Loop’ is now the main source of funding, raising between £300,000 and £500,000 (gross) annually.
Le Loop offers amateur cyclists the chance to tackle between 2 and all 21 stages of the Tour de France each year – with comprehensive support and a week ahead of the professionals. Places go on sale from July of the previous year, and the event is usually sold out.
Here is the link to the official trust’s website.
Sponsor a Kilometer
My role as a participant is also to raise funds for the WWMT. It went brilliantly in 2017, and I’m counting on your support once again.
The idea is that I cycle the kilometres and you donate one euro, franc or dollar for every kilometre I cover.
In return, I’ll take you along on the tour again with daily reports from the route, the paddock and all the curiosities along the way, just as I did in 2017.
In fact, after 200 km and the mountains, I sit down at my laptop and write these reports, which – as many have said – were eagerly awaited the next morning.
My fundraising target is £3,000 by the end of April, when
- If 100 individuals donate £30, the target will be reached,
- If 60 people donate £50, the target will be reached,
- If 300 of you donate £10, the target will be reached.
- …
Be one of the 300 or share this page with your friends – that helps too.
How to I sponsor a kilometer
Here is the direct link to my donation page. Simply use your credit or debit card.
The link to my site to donations to WWMT
.
You will, of course, receive a donation receipt that is recognised as valid, as the Trust is officially registered; details are provided on the receipt.
Important: All donations go directly to the WWMT.
Of cause, I cover my expensis myself.
Many thanks to all the donors so far. Hopefully this will encourage others to fill the basket completely!
Training
My winter training was a bit of a mixed bag, with illnesses and ups and downs, but I still managed to stick to my plan – not perfectly, but I did it. Now it’s time to finally get out there – I can’t stand the Zwift machine next to my desk any longer – to rack up the kilometres and keep building up my fitness…
Here’s another photo of that sort:
Every donation and every share brings us closer to our goal – thank you for being part of this journey!
Happy Eastern Holidays to you & your family, and
