Matt, Ted and Jon have enjoyed many years of cycling and mountain biking around their home turf in the Cotswolds, and during holidays close to Spedalicchio on the border of Tuscany and Umbria. When Matt suggested linking the two centres by cycling between them, Ted and Jon thought he was mad. But they like a challenge; after all, how bad could a ‘1000 or so’ miles in the saddle be?

What had started as a wild idea has rapidly become reality and the ride starts on 27 July 2013, as they head from Northleach to Dover. They will then travel through the Eurotunnel on 3 August to commence the push south, from Calais, through the Champagne region of France to Aubonne in Switzerland. The team will head over the Alps from Martigny to Aosta before cycling towards Bologna, then south towards their final destination close to Spedalicchio. 

The aim is to complete the ride in time for Matt’s birthday on 17 August – no pressure!

The team decided that if they were going to prepare for and undertake such a challenge, then they would try to use the opportunity to raise money for charities.

Please support us by supporting our charities – and hopefully, you will be able to follow us as we cycle south for the summer!

Thank you.

Helen House was the world's first hospice for children and opened in 1982. In 2004, Douglas House was opened as the world's first hospice for young adults. They do inspriational work with patients and families.

Donating to Helen & Douglas House through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you