*** i have written a personal message via justgiving to each very kind donor and message giver, but am not confident these are reaching you, if not pleaee know how exceptionally grateful I am.****

On 4th September, I am to embark on a cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats, with nervousness and great trepidation, and my sister, Fiona... At my advanced years (62 yrs old), the challenge seems even greater than if I were still a “young thing”.

Over the 9-days, we will climb 52,530 feet and ride between 101-117 miles per day. I am feeling a mixture of wobbly anxiety and fierce determination to achieve my goal of completing this brutal challenge. I am training in earnest and since April have covered approximately 2,000 miles on my bicycle. Wales is not known for its “flat lands”, but has provided an excellent if not gruelling training ground over mountains and valleys.

The reason behind all this centres round the tragic death of our very dear friend Jamie Mackaness in November 2018 from a heart attack. His family were shocked to the core and whilst showing extraordinary fortitude and courage since that terrible day, the loss has left them bereft, and their lives changed forever. Jamie was known to so very many people during the course of his life, and in a vast array of capacities - he was, most importantly: husband, father, son and brother and cousin. He was also an exceptionally loyal friend to many of us, a fellow soldier and a work colleague. Those of us who were lucky enough to have come into his orb over his 61 years, witnessed a truly remarkable man, whose integrity was unsurpassed. Unsurprisingly, for a man who always put others first, he became involved in a charity, local to his home in Dorset, Seeds4Success.

MaryAnne has now taken over the reins from Jamie in the mentoring programme and is working closely with her young mentees.

The charity, Jamie’s family and I would be unbelievably grateful if anyone might be kind enough to donate a few pounds to Jamie’s fund. Although Seeds4Success is local to Dorset/Wiltshire, the subject of young people’s wellbeing is relevant to us all in whatever part of the country we live. With the long-term impact of Covid on young people being far from clear, it is even more important that we offer those who are vulnerable as much support as we can during these troubled times.

And finally, I need to clarify that all the costs involved in my signing up to this journey, (organised by Threshold – Ride Across Britain) have been paid for by me, so any money raised will go direct to the charity, which being small, will appreciate every single penny donated.