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Did you know that on average, two women a week in England and Wales are killed by a partner or former partner. Domestic violence and abuse decimates hope for the future for women and children. But they can and do recover, survive and thrive. They often need support though.

Some quotes about Mont Ventoux:

"Physically, the Ventoux is dreadful. Bald, it's the spirit of Dry: Its climate (it is much more an essence of climate than a geographic place) makes it a damned terrain, a testing place for heroes, something like a higher hell."
Roland Barthes, French philosopher and bicycle racing fan

"The Ventoux is a god of Evil, to which sacrifices must be made. It never forgives weakness and extracts an unfair tribute of suffering."
Roland Barthes, French philosopher and bicycle racing fan

It's only 21.5km which sounds easy, but it's one of the hardest Tour de France climbs and even very fit blokes in their 20s have to give up, I've heard. But as a woman of nearly 50 obviously I'm a winner already so...

Also, I work for Women's Aid: a charity which saves lives by empowering women, listening to them, believing them, supporting them to cherish and build on their own strengths to escape and overcome appalling abuse that threatens to destroy their lives - sometimes literally. We also campaign with all our might to create a society and a systemic response to domestic abuse that does the same. We actually change government policy and we raise awareness.

That makes me incredibly proud. I am also proud of my cycling. I only took it up in my 40s, having always been the least athletic person I knew, partly due to arthritis. I've done some challenging rides - 100 miles in a day and stuff. Next birthday I will be 50 and I want to do something really difficult, so I'm going to cycle up Mont Ventoux: check it out here http://www.veloventoux.com/?c=montVentoux 

Just to be clear, I obviously really want to do this, but I am not asking you to pay for my holiday. I'm going anyway. I just felt I should also try to raise money to empower other women while I'm empowering myself. I can absolutely guarantee that Women's Aid uses every penny responsibly, and I can also guarantee that - as I'm paying for the trip - every penny you donate will go to Women's Aid. Did you know that two women a week on average are killed by a partner or former partner in England and Wales? And that's the tip of the iceberg of domestic violence. Women's Aid is working to end this.

Thank you so much.

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