I am a Kef volunteer and one of the youngest riders who has just participated in Bike4Kef 2018, and I had to put pen to paper to share my feelings with the Kef organisation who put together this amazing event.

Leaving from Brent Green on Sunday, there was a buzz in the air as people registered their bikes, loaded them onto a lorry and piled onto the coaches. It felt like camp again as we spent an hour’s drive to the hotel laughing, chatting and making new friends.

We arrived to a delicious spread, the first instalment of the staggeringly huge amount of food we managed to eat, all catered by the Litke brothers. We were then given our goodie bags, with a souvenir pair of swimming trunks and snacks. After checking in, we re-boarded the coaches and 5 minutes later we arrived at the place of every man’s dreams… jet skiing, banana boating, hoverboard… any water sports you could imagine were available for our exclusive use for the rest of the afternoon. Together we all had an absolute blast for the next 3 hours – age played no part as we all bonded as one unit.

Back at the hotel, following Mincha a sumptuous buffet was laid on for dinner (I went from main course to dessert and back, multiple times!!)

The evening was expertly chaired by Motti Wiesenfeld, we heard first-hand experiences from Dovid Chaim Belovski, a Kef Boys counsellor, and watched a beautiful video presentation depicting the lives of Kef families and the difference that Kef makes to them.

The highlight of the evening was an emotionally charged speech by Rabbi Motti Glejser describing his personal experiences. The entire audience was moved to tears as he explained that B”H most of us will never understand the challenge of a family with a special needs child, but the phenomenal privilege of being a rider or supporter of Bike4Kef makes all of us partners in this amazing organisation.

A last minute scramble to try and raise £20k in order to reach the near impossible goal of £500k was made by Motti Stimler, the powerhouse behind this successful campaign. Each table agreed to raise £500, which was matched by pound for pound by a generous benefactor and the target was achieved within 20 minutes to a standing ovation by all.

Finally, dessert and then bed, knowing we had a tough day tomorrow.

We had an early start – even earlier for those brave enough to ride 100 miles, with Shacharis and a delicious breakfast to fuel us for the ride. Before we knew it, 9.30am had arrived, and we were at the start line. All clad in our kef cycling jerseys, resplendent in red and white jerseys proudly bearing the bike4kef logo, we mounted our bikes behind the red ribbon…and we were off!

The only word that comes to mind when describing the ride is ‘incredible’. Riding along a perfect route in the countryside, stopping off at the welcoming pitstops, even the hills – and they were tough hills! – were all part of the amazing experience of Bike4Kef 2018. The feeling that I was part of this unbelievable experience – that I was one of 179 riders who collectively had raised over £500,000, all fuelled me, and I rode with a smile on my face!

Snacks at pitstop 1, a sandwich bar at pitstop 2, ice cream at pitstop 3, and an open bar at the Hendon hall hotel – the final pitstop… AND WE MADE IT!!!

The feeling of achievement enveloped us all as we rode together singing towards Hendon park. We all crossed the finish line to find our families and the families of Kef waiting for us and cheering us on, with a fantastic barbecue and entertainment…. and so this great event came to an end…

A day later, I feel immensely proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of riders and the great achdus that achieved this incredible target. If Kef looks after the special needs children and families as well as they took care of their bike riders, they are doing an amazing job!!

Bring on Bike4kef 2019!!

KEF

Kef was founded in 2006 by two mothers of children with special needs in the North West London community. Kef started with 4 children and over the past 12 years, has grown to service over 100 families of children and young adults with a wide range of special needs across the UK, including summer and winter camps and a range of programmes throughout the year. Kef is approached almost weekly by new families desperate for respite, and has made a huge impact on the lives of its children and their families. The feeling that there is an organisation which cares, understands, and is able to shower their child with so much love and attention, enables the parents to spend time focusing on their other family members, who are often, albeit unintentionally, marginalised by their sibling with special needs.

Photos by Chuni Kahan & Daniel Morris Photography

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