What is the Clean Sheet Foundation?

The Cleansheet Foundation is a charity set up to help young adults start a new life with a Cleansheet. The trustees are Steve Jones, Nick Bevan and Richard Hanley a solicitor with BPE Solicitors Nick and Steve have a long friendship and whilst they have their own businesses (www.n4s.co.uk and www.nickbevan.co.uk). They are co-directors of Cleansheet Developments Ltd which commits to donate 10% of all its profits to the Foundation.

The Clean Sheet Foundation has committed itself to a project in Uganda to rebuild a school and create a farm in the school grounds at Koch Goma Uganda.

The concept is to support by training, education and by other means underprivileged people to give them the tools, training and experience which enable them to look at life positively and to give them tools by which to live better, more fulfilling, healthier and positive lives.

Projects funded by Cleansheet

The video below shows recent projects funded by Cleansheet with the support of African Revival. Steve Jones from Cleansheet highlights some of the major work undertaken and also goes on to talk about projects that will require future funding.

Who are Cleansheet?

Listed below is an overview of some of the key members of the Cleansheet team.

Nick Bevan

Nick runs a firm of Chartered Surveyors in Cheltenham, Nick Bevan Consulting

Nick is married to Natalie and has 3 grown up daughters. Natalie will be riding leg 4 and has been instrumental in the organisation of the event.

Nick loves all aspects of the outdoors and is a qualified mountain leader and commercially qualified yacht and power boat skipper.

Nick and Steve Jones set up the Cleansheet Foundation because we felt young adults who had had a bad start in life deserved a chance to make positive changes in their lives. A little help at the right time can be life changing. The advantage of running our own charity also means we can make sure our financial support is focused, responsibly used and overheads are kept to an absolute minimum. Importantly we can also see the direct results of our efforts, which is really fulfilling. We have committed that 10% of the profit from our joint business will go direct to the Cleansheet Foundation. The ride is a massive challenge but after competing with Steve and Richard Yorke in the Polar Challenge, a 400 mile race to the North Pole in 2007 (the toughest endurance race in the world) I know how much the human body and mind can endure, good training and preparation as well as breaking a such big challenge into bite sized pieces should make the event achievable... hopefully!!

Interesting fact - Scorer of the most Northerly rugby try ever scored 13th May 2007
Other Interests - Passionate Gloucester Rugby fan, learning guitar, bad jokes.

Natalie Bevan

Profile - I live in Cheltenham and run a firm of Chartered Surveyors with my husband, Nick.

I enjoy spending time in the great outdoors whether its a gentle walk beside a river, climbing up a mountain or sailing on open seas but cycling long distances for me is a new venture and one I can best describe as... wobbly.

I am passionate about food and cooking and realise how lucky I am to be able to just “pop” to the supermarket. In Uganda this is not the case and every meal is a struggle particularly for the children in Koch Goma. Pushing myself both physically and mentally knowing that it will make such a difference to so many lives will more than make up for the aching muscles and sore derriere!

John Williams

For a man whose favourite pastimes include cooking, wine, armchair rugby (Gloucester and England) and sailing the idea of cycling 100-miles a day for consecutive days wasn’t one that came naturally to me.

However, I grew up virtually glued to a bike saddle so at least it seemed an achievable goal. So it was that against a barrage of comments including “mid-life crisis” and “insanity always ran in the family” I took the step to sign up for Cleansheet’s Cycle to Uganda project.

The motivation was simple. Here was a chance to make a practical difference to a lot of lives now, and to do so in a way that was sustainable for generations. No quick fix, just a lot of well placed effort.

In truth there was another personal motivation. Whilst thinking about whether or not to take part, my wife returned from walking the dog one lunchtime and her words were the final straw. “I think you should do it. I can see you doing it. In fact I saw a fat bloke cycling up Leckhampton Hill on my way back and I thought of you…!” Enough said...?

Dave West

I live in Churchdown, I'm married and I have a beautiful 14 year old daughter called Jenny. My day job is installing security systems but at weekends you're most likely to find me getting mucky in the garden.

I've ridden a few 'old bikes' in my day but this is the first time I have taken on a challenge of this magnitude. Apart from the obvious fund raising reasons I'm taking part in the Uganda cycle ride to prove to myself (and Nick Bevan) that I can do it, and I am determined to give it my all.

Originally born in Liverpool, I moved to Gloucestershire over 30 years ago. I am an avid Liverpool FC supporter and attend games whenever I can, and if I can't, well, that's just a perfect excuse to go down the pub and watch it with a beer!

Simon Firkins

I love food, as long as it doesn’t contain mushrooms or onions (or Anchovies of course!).

I’ve had my own successful planning consultancy, SF Planning Limited, for about 4 years and really enjoy dealing with all parts of the planning process – especially handling planning applications and appeals, promoting sites for allocation and getting my teeth into the complex, technical and legal aspects of planning.

I am stupidly competitive and can be somewhat of a perfectionist – which runs through my work and leisure time. When I’m not working or eating, I play squash to a pretty good standard with Old Patesians in the Gloucestershire County Premier Division and turn out for the County over 35’s. I also enjoy mountain biking, reading, films and having a drink or two!

Oh, I also think God is amazing and so I love him as well.

Why?:

Taking part is somewhat of a personal challenge with the hope that the need to train will encourage me to overcome a fairly lengthy, as yet not fully identified lung infection.
Taking on the physical and mental challenge is something that I think I will relish, as well as for the fun and camaraderie.
Primarily though, it is to try and make a small difference for others so less fortunate than us.

Humorous Facts:

I used to be chocoholic – eating roughly 3 penguins, half a pack of biscuits and 6 chocolate bars a day!
I struggle to be patient with fools.
I can touch my nose with my tongue and I used to be able to get my fist in my mouth until my hands grew too big!
My house renovation project is known locally as “The Forth Bridge of Leckhampton”.
A personality profile test I took for a job interview once described me as “anti-establishment”.
I think working from home is perfect because I can stay in pyjamas until midday if I want to.
Previous nick-names (those I can mention anyway) have been “hawk-eye” and “Teflon”!

Victoria Jarratt

I’m 37, but with some good lighting could easily pass for 39. Lucky enough to live and work in Cheltenham. Monday to Friday I’m an Account Director for Factor 3 - a full service advertising / marketing agency. At weekends I like playing out with Simon, watching stand up comedians, movies, eating and drinking.

I’m taking part in the Ugandan cycle for two reasons: firstly because Nick Bevan is the most persuasive man on earth and secondly because I know that what we’re doing will make a real difference to the villagers of Gulu.

I learnt several important lessons on my first cycle ride – Minus 4 = icy roads = breaking sharply a bad idea. Back wheel tends to skid out and you fall off; Red lights mean stop and not career into on-coming traffic (see first point) and always have a puncture repair kit with you. Getting one 5 miles from home can make you quite grumpy.

David Williams

Partner at Hazlewoods LLP Chartered Accountants

Vital Stats:

Age 40, married with 3 kids
Height : Taller than he looks (honestly)
Weight: 5kg heavier since training began somewhat worryingly

Reasons For Taking Part:

Training for 2012 ( a late developer)
For the first time in his life he can wear lycra in public
Carbon offsetting his 4x4

The Cleansheet Support Team

Kirsty Bevan

I work for a financial administration company called Vertex in Cheltenham as part of the life and pensions team. I have volunteered to be part of the support team for the whole trip, mainly as I know it’s for a good cause but because I also get to the opportunity to travel through different countries and experience different cultures at the same time. Also I can make sure Mr Bevan doesn’t get himself in too much trouble.Jackie and Simon.

Steve Jones

47 years old and married to Linda, with twin 23 yr old boys - Local Businessman and Joint Founder of the Cleansheet Foundation. I am a passionate advocate of business playing a wider role in the community both here and overseas. I have been involved in a number of community/charitable initiatives over the past 10 years and most recently have undertaken a number of projects in Northern Uganda. An area that has been devastated by conflict and poverty yet has such optimism about the future.

I have been a friend of Nick Bevan the lead rider in the challenge for 25 years and last year went to the Arctic as a member of team Star in the race to the Magnetic North Pole only to return early with a knee injury.

That same injury prevents me from taking part as a rider but I will be joining the team as a driver providing logistics support. I have received many compliments over the years from Nick in relation to the quality of my driving!

Simon Trippett

I am taking part to support my girlfriend Victoria who’s cycling the 4th leg. I have two very energetic sons – Angus aged 5 and Thomas aged 3 - making me used to running around after children, which should stand me in good stead as part of the support team.

When not being the most enthusiastic estate agent in Gloucestershire, I love watching sport, snowboarding, all water sports and spending time with my boys (one of which will definitely play for rugby for England – you heard it here first).

I’m particularly pleased to be taking part in the Serbia to Greece leg as I spent 5 years working in the Greek resort of Porto Heli and am hoping to brush up on my Greek swearing vocabulary and improve my Ouzo tolerance. Lost causes: Tottenham Hotspur and Gloucester Rugby Club.

Simon and Jackie

Simon - I am a hardworking individual who is very enthusiastic about life. I enjoy spending time with my partner and socialising with friends. Loves sport, keen runner and I am very passionate about rugby and a season ticket holder at Gloucester Rugby.

Jackie – I enjoy spending time with my partner and friends. I like cooking and going to dance classes. My favourite dance is the ‘salsa’. I love going out for meals and going on holiday. I also enjoy sailing when the sea is calm!

Jackie and Simon - To be a part of something special and for the opportunity to drive the support vehicle from Athens back through Europe.

Humorous facts about yourself – Simon - I always want people to have a great time. Ask me about “first of the day” and how to make a lethal rum punch.

Jackie – The ability to pick winners at the Cheltenham races just by choosing random names!

Other commitments

Additionally both Nick and Steve are supporters of the National Star College and as part of Team Star raised £120,000 towards the Star Appeal in 2007 by trekking to the North Pole