My friend Sam (Robert Samuel Dobson to avoid confusion) and I will be cycling back to Lancashire from Dijon , the capital of Burgundy in France. The ride should be 800 miles and 8 days of cycling unsupported as we aim to raise profile and funds for Roadpeace and Mind.

Roadpeace have been marvellous in providing support to Sam's family following the tragic death of his brother in law David Bailey in a road traffic accident recently. The ride is dedicated to David's memory.

We are also raising money for Mind as both of us have faced and continue to face mental health challenges. We share the view that #itsoktonotbeok and have been known to share a glass of red whilst discussing the same - hence the relevance of Burgundy and its wines as our chosen starting point.

Manchester Mind is an independent, local charity, which supports over 5000 young people and adults each year. We believe that everyone deserves to be supported in their mental health needs and we have a part to play in that. Our charity values the commitment of our staff and volunteers, who work hard to ensure services are delivered in a way that enables people to feel heard and involved. Donations and help from our fantastic supporters make a real difference, so thank you for being part of our success this year.