A former nurse celebrated her 80th birthday by cycling across Vietnam to raise money for charity and says she is already looking for her next challenge.
According to a report by Mark Elson on theforestreview.com, Jean Fitzpatrick from Tutshill has always loved an adventure, saying: “My husband and I went on a scuba diving holiday once and a year later we were diving instructors and rescue divers. We lived in Malta for a year and we rented out our house once to go round the world.
“After my husband, Bob, died last year I decided I needed to challenge myself. I’m involved with a project called Lend With Care for Care International. I help to support girls’ education and women’s entrepreneurship in poorer countries and I decided to join a fundraising bike ride. The intention was to cycle 340 miles across Vietnam.
“I was the oldest of the 14 riders and they were all much more experienced than I was. Three days in I was knocked off my bike by a moped in Hai Phong. I had severe bruising of my left arm, side, leg and foot and for two days I had to stay in the bus and follow the riders,” added the mother-of-three.
“I managed to gradually build up to cycling properly, but after a while we formed a ‘falling off club’ as I was not alone in it. After two days of monsoon rain we couldn’t even see the potholes, let alone avoid them,” she added.
“Along the way we visited villages where some of the entrepreneurs live. We were made very welcome and were able to see what some were doing with their loans. We got invited back to one village where they held a party for my 80th birthday. The women wore traditional dress and gave me presents and a huge flower arrangement – it was quite overwhelming.
“The country people still struggle with the danger of cluster bombs left from the war with America. It’s not uncommon to see adults and children missing a limb,” revealed Jean.
“I left Vietnam with a feeling that I want to return and learn more about the people, whom I’d sum up as optimistic, and to see more of the beautiful country.”
She said she learned that there is far more kindness in the world that we can imagine and that to challenge yourself to do something right out of your comfort zone – no matter what your age –helps you grow in confidence.
“It gives you the belief that life is worth the effort, whatever trials you may have to face,” added Jean.
“My friends said they had no doubt I’d do it and my family are already asking what’s next. I’m thinking about it and in the meantime I’ve given talks about my experience to a couple of local groups.”
Jean helped to raise £2,000 for Lend With Care. To find out more about the charity, visit www.lendwithcare.org