Occasionally things happen that cause you to stop and really think "how can I help?", especially when words aren't enough. I've been a Trustee of Cartrefi Co-op - a learning disability charity - for many years. Our CEO's daughter, Bethan Roper, was killed in a tragic train accident in December 2018. There is no sense to be made of this. Described as a 'unique' activist who had a 'love for life' Beth couldn't say no to anybody in need of help. Which is why a charity has been set up to continue her campaigning and work. One of her main concerns was the plight of refugees - we watch the images pass us by on TV: we can help.

So my way of helping is through this cycling challenge event in September https://www.rideacrossbritain.com/classic-plus-route/ . It takes me well out of my comfort zone and is a genuine challenge requiring many months of training. Before entering, I'd cycled over 100 miles in one day just once. This challenge is 109 mile/day every day for 9 days to go from Land's End to John o'Groats. That's like 9 back to back hilly marathons. So be generous and help me smile through every one of the 980 miles.

The Bethan Roper Trust for Refugees will help people who have had to flee their own country because of things like war or persecution and who have been recognised under the law that they have a right to live in the UK. The Trust may help them in lots of different ways but one of the things we especially want to do is help refugees be united with their husband or wife and children if they are stranded in their own country. They are legally entitled to be united but the government currently doesn’t provide any help for this to happen. Bethan helped a refugee from Syria be united with his wife and children and now they all live together in Wales. They loved Beth for what she did for them.