Wahayy and welcome!!

If you got this far from a certain Le Mans site, then you've already read what's going on. If not, and you wandered in here through an open door to shelter from the rain, then get your pac-a-mac off and settle down...

In short, and also shorts I suppose, I'm cycling from the UK to Le Mans in 3 days, getting there in time I hope, for the 24 Hour race.

Now, as the crow flies it's about 300 miles to Le Mans from my place, - not being a crow and lacking the ability of flight I may need to round this up a tad (I know I'm getting off the track a bit, but have you ever watched a crow fly? -the ones round our way fly like they've been sniffing Tippex, more like 3000 miles the way the crow flies if you ask me, anyway.. ), around 100 miles a day then. So, come Tuesday morning on the 12th of June I'll be packing some cucumber and salad spread sandwiches, a half bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale, turning my cap backwards and setting off, whistling, in a generally southerly direction, with hopes of arriving in Le Mans on Thursday evening in time for a fish supper and a little dancing. I hope I'm wrong, but I suspect that the reality may be much more grisly.

In order to keep my chin firmly pressed to the butchers basket which will surely be attached to the handlebars, I'm going to need a little incentive, and that's where the fundraising bit comes in. Surely, I thought, people will help with this noble effort (it took a long time to type 'noble effort', - every time I looked up to check, I'd actually typed 'catastrophic plan'), and sponsorship is the way forward, with all funds heading the way of Kidney Research UK. Mrs H had a close call last year, but after a quick oil change and one of her brothers kidneys, she's doing great. Unfortunately, she's one of the lucky ones, and many don't get that far, and after seeing the reality of renal failure close up we reckon Kidney Research could certainly do with a few bob.

Lots of lubricants (and probably some terrible language) will be involved, and sponsors too if you can find it in your heart and pocket. Thankfully I won't be alone, and will be accompanied by Brian, an old school chum with a long history of dangerous and unstable behaviour, so that's a relief then.

Go on, Kidney Research needs you!

As 'Justgiving' says:

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Kidney Research UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.