In 2009, my two close friends, Rob Gauntlett and James Atkinson, died tragically on Mont Blanc.  I remember hearing at the funeral that Rob and James had achieved more in their 21 years than many of us dream in a lifetime.

Six months later, with many who had never cycled before, we rode the length of the UK from John O’ Groat’s to Land’s End.  We had so much fun that we carried on organising cycle rides – and five years later, over 100 cyclists of all ages, abilities and nationalities have joined the One Mile Closer peloton and cycled thousands of miles in Europe and Asia.

This year, our One Mile Closer peloton will Pedal Home from the Pyrenees, riding 1400km from northern Spain to Sussex, traversing the Pyrenees on the famous cols of the Tour de France, before cycling north to Perigeux, Poitiers, Brittany, and home from Portsmouth.

This fundraising page is to raise money to support outdoor activities at Christ’s Hospital School, enabling children to have opportunities that they otherwise would not, and that Rob and James enjoyed so much.

More on Rob, James, Nalango and our past and present adventures can be found on www.onemilecloser.co.uk and by following One Mile Closer on facebook - thank you for your support.