Can you help? – email from Serena Bonsall

[ValleyMan]

Email received from Serena Bonsall

Laurie Cottage

6 Rocky Park

Tenby

Pembrokeshire

SA70 7LM

07891346682

serena.may@hotmail.co.uk

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Serena Bonsall, in March of this year my husband Lee Bonsall committed suicide. Lee had been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Afghanistan. Lee gave no indication of how bad his depression was and he hadn’t received the help he needed from the Ministry of Defence. We were married in July 2011 and he died 8 months later in March 2012. Obviously this has been the most traumatic time of life and I never thought I would be a widow at the age of 24. Out of all of this sadness I feel it’s important to do something positive and raise awareness of this terrible illness not only for Lee but for others who have suffered this life-changing condition.

The reason for me writing to you today is to tell you about the sponsored bike ride I am doing from our home in Tenby to Lee’s original hometown of Warsop on the 29th of August to the 1st of September 2012 totalling 214 miles. All money raised will be going to Combat Stress, the leading charity for PTSD. Hopefully this will go in some way to help others suffering from the same condition.

I am asking for your help today in the form of possibly lending me a start and finish line (or something appropriate) to signify the beginning and end of the journey and putting up a poster (or linking our event on your website) containing the route information and ways of sponsorship. If any of your members would like to join us at any point through our journey that would be wonderful too. However, any sponsorship or support you are willing to offer for this event would be very much appreciated. I know this is a big ask but I’m desperate to do my very best to help this worthy cause. I am more than happy to have your logo displayed on clothing, support vehicles and publicity. Local and national media have shown interest in this event.

Any and all help you can offer would be gratefully accepted.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Kind regards,

Serena Bonsall, loving wife of Lee.

Kim and I are on holiday that week so are planning to cycle out of Tenby with Serena. Will post more details later.

[ValleyMan]

More details on the ride:

Thank you so much for your kindness and support. I’m overwhelmed with your offer of accompanying us on part of the first leg of our journey. I have spoke to Andrew today and have been advised to send you the following links which contain information;

This link shows the exact route we will be taking inclusive of an itinerary

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=203711826670603702357.0004c62867b1ff8937878&msa=0

This link is our ‘JustGiving’ page. Here people can donate and find out more about our story

http://www.justgiving.com/Serena-Bonsall13

People can also follow us on

Facebook; Lee Bonsall Memorial Bike Ride

Twitter; @SerenaBonsall

Any other information you require, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Again, thank you for your support

Serena, Loving wife of Lee.

[butcherboy]

Just a reminder about this charity ride. Ian, Kim and Leights are planning to ride some of the first leg with Serena. I hope to depending on work. If we could try and support her that would be great.

[ValleyMan]

Email from Serena.

Hi all.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you for supporting myself and the others on our bike ride to raise awareness and money of post traumatic stress disorder in memory of my husband Lee. It was a pleasure and an honor to have you cycle with us and all of your advice and tips got us through the journey.

It was an extremely emotional and challenging journey, with lots of ups and downs. I have to admit, I really enjoyed cycling (although I had to tape a pillow to my seat day three) and it is something I will continue to do in my spare time as a hobby.

I have never met such a wonderful group of people, who’s passion of their sport is so addictive. It really has been a pleasure to get to know you and have you part of our journey.

Please find attached some photos.

Again, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for all your help, support, advice and for being so lovely.

If there is anything I can do in the future to assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you, kindest regards,

Serena x

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