On September 19-23rd this year I will be joining 3 friends and their motley crew 'The Organ Finders' to cycle the 320 miles from London to Paris. It's a challenge that I have wanted to participate in for several years and when I heard about Katie and Darren doing this challenge I jumped at the chance to get involved.

Darren and his borther in law Gavin dreamt up The Organ Finders last year whilst lying in adjacent hospital beds. Darren was good enough to give Gavin one of his kidneys last year just in tiem to save him from needing dialysis. Since then Gavin has been working hard to push that kidney to its limits by competing in challenges to raise money for organ donation in the UK, and most recently by winning silver in the road cycle race at the British Transplant Games. You can check out their donation page at www.virginmoneygiving.com/organfinders if you want to get behind their fund raising campaign.

Since starting my cycle training, and having been sure that I would be doing it soley to raise money for The Organ Finders, I have become involved in caring for a family friend, John, who has recently been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and who is bravely facing his last few weeks/ months with grace, dignity and a good deal of dark humour. St Lukes are just becoming involved in his care with day visits for now but I expect he will be there more and more as the weeks go by. They do remarkable work to lessen the terror and pain of terminal illness for those suffering in Sheffield. As an A&E doctor in the region I have seen countless patients reaching the end of their life, often in less than ideal or dignified circumstances, and each time I do I wish that St Lukes could do more of it's magic for more people. Their website is www.stlukeshospice.org.uk It's a privilege to have such an excellent service In Sheffield exists but it's entirely funded by charity and always in need of more, more, more...

I would be really really humbled if you felt able to support my challenge and give what you can to my Just Giving page. It's pretty easy to donate and all donations receive gift aid too.If you prefer not to use the 'web' then drop me a text/ email and I'll let you know how best to transfer some money directly to me and from there i can add it to my page.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and, I hope, for 'digging deep' and giving what you are able to this worthy cause.

Laura

07787 867754 laurabuxton@btinternet.com