On 25th May I'm taking part in a charity cycle challenge - tackling the legendary 298km Milan to San Remo tour stage. It promises to be a test of endurance with fast flats and steep 10% climbs taking our team to 532m above sea level. I'm following a training programme, no room for winging it on the day, especially as this will be my first ever cycling event!

My chosen charity is Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. On a personal level I'm particularly keen to raise money for them, as some of you will already know that my sister Sue has recently recovered from Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but only after a period of serious illness and a painful recovery. One of the many things I've taken out of this experience is that blood cancers need to be further researched to help make vital improvements.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research are the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Their life-saving research is focused on finding causes, improving diagnosis and treatments, and running groundbreaking clinical trials for all blood cancer patients. Blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma affect people of all ages from babies to grandparents. We need to be sure that we reach all those touched by leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma and give them the best possible chance of survival. 

It should be a tough challenge, so please dig deep and donate!