Global day of action for Amnesty

Today has been a seriously productive day and I'm feeling very enthused about my cycling, fitness & fundraising project! After almost a whole weekend off doing anything cycle-related, apart from a run on Saturday, I've today managed to finish off my quiz for Madras for Cash on Thursday night, as well as making some components of the prize and going for another run. And I also managed to plan and organise another little craft project in time for my Valentine's Day surprises. It's so satisfying when you manage to get a lot done, especially when you can fit it all around work!

I went to an exhibition yesterday at the Southbank with my hilarious friend Danners and we saw lots of Ghanaian coffins shaped to look like tigers, eggs, cocoa pods and cars. It was all done in partnership with Dying Matters which is a coalition of charities which work on 'end of life' issues. It was really refreshing to see an exhibition addressing such an important issue, which I guess most people don't think about very often.

And it for me it was an opportunity to reaffirm the values that have made me want to do this bike ride in support of Amnesty - besides the personal benefits associated with spending a year focusing on something really positive for my own sense of health and wellbeing, it is about focusing minds and efforts on ensuring people's freedom and dignity are protected as best we can. Anyone who knows me will know that I'm not always that dignified myself (even 'sometimes' might be stretching the truth) but it doesn't change the fact that I think it is an important principle and that as a society we should always aspire to uphold our own and each other's dignity as best we can. On that note I'm planning to go to a global day of action for Amnesty International on Saturday 11th February. There's going to be a rally at Trafalgar Square from 12-2. It's going to be a full-on action packed charity fund-fest for me that weekend as straight after I'm heading for a cupcake icing class to improve my bake sale prospects! If anyone is interested in joining me for the rally let me know or take a peek at http://www.amnesty.org.uk/events_details.asp?EventsID=2129.

Offski!