Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I like to challenge myself from time to time in sporting events. Things that are a little outside my comfort zone and test my ability to see things through.  There are few things more challenging than cycling over a 100 miles every day for 9 days, taking in some of the best countryside in the world and some of the biggest hills in Great Britain. No doubt the weather will also try to add to the challenge

But I didn't want it to go past as just a personal achievement. So I have decided to try to raise some money and awareness for one of the less well known charities in the UK.  Cancer can affect anyone, at any age, but Shine is the only charity that focusses its support on people in their 20s-40s who have recently been diagnosed.  Shine recognises that there are different issues affecting people of this age and they provide specific support and advice for them, helping them find answers to the hardest of questions and connecting them with people in similar situations so they can share their experiences.

Shine have been particularly valuable to two of my best friends, Ed and Kelly Beck.  Kelly was diagnosed in March 2021 with a rare Bowel Cancer and tragically passed away in August of this year.  Shine gave them the right mixture of both practical and emotional advice throughout and Ed has said that it was invaluable to both of them in dealing with the situation. All that from a charity I had never even heard of before.

Kelly approached cancer in the same way she tackled everything in life; with a huge smile and total bloody mindedness. She decided to post her progress through every step of the treatment on Facebook and Instagram and was unflinching in describing the highs and lows of what she was going through. Those of you who are here because you know Kelly will know just how powerful those posts were.

So from the 10th to the 19th September....every time I am struggling to climb a hill, or wondering if I can find some energy for the last 10 miles of the day, or moaning at the 5:30 am alarm call for breakfast on day 6, I will be thinking of her and hearing her in my head saying "It's just a bike ride, enjoy the scenery, and keep turning the pedals".  

And so that's what I will do.

If you can spare something, then thank you very much, and if you can't then please go to their webage and learn a bit more about the work they do.

Donating 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.