Re. Mexico Cycling Challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support, 26 March- 7 April 2011

Dear All

Between the 26 March and 7 April 2011, I will be joining 50 people cycling from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Coast as part of the Macmillan Cancer Support’s Mexico Cycling Challenge. We will be cycling for 8 consecutive days and covering over 680Km.It promises to be an extremely testing physical challenge, cycling over undulating countryside and in all weathers. The temperature in March is around 12-33°C, with an average monthly level of rainfall per month of 20-30mm. Temperatures in the daytime can get very hot, however, at night temperatures can drop signficantly. Whilst cycling we will be camping in two-man tents, staying at extremely basic campsites with few facilities The event and the months of preparation and training, will be tough but I am doing this in order to raise money for Macmillan Cancer support (reg. charity no England and Wales, 261017, Scotland SC039907) because of my personal experience of losing my dear father to the disease and the help received from Macmillan nurses.

I used to call dad Porky from when he used to rear pigs. He was my best friend and the best dad I could have ever hoped for. I had a wonderful childhood (it is still continuing!), growing up on a small holding with horses, ferrets and farmyard animals. From the age of nine, horses were my hobby and for the following fifteen happy years. As a teenager dad used to take me to compete at all the pony club/horse shows all around the country, what a laugh we used to have and I thank him dearly. He worked so hard but always made time for his children. He then of course got the riding bug and insisted on having a go himself! Many of you will remember his Palomino horse Apollo, ‘what a pair!’ is all I’m going to say! As we got older and went off to University, during holidays or weekend homely visits, I would love nothing better than our family get togethers, going for a ‘drinkypoo’ or three at the Square and Compass, lots of great memories! Those of you who knew dad would probably agree, he was a legend, a ‘diamond geezer’ (as he used to say!), with a massive heart and a great sense of humour. Please help to raise funds for this charity which helped to nurse my dad enabling him to spend his final days in our wonderful home. The nurses are lovely and do such a wonderful job.

Each and every day 739 people in the UK are told they have cancer. More than two million people in the UK today have had a cancer diagnosis and more than one in three will be diagnosed at some point in their life. As well as taking action today to support people from the moment they suspect they have cancer, Macmillan are shaping the future of cancer care. Their increasing range of services, including Macmillan nurses, doctors and health and social care professionals, cancer care centers, a range of cancer information, practical help at home and help with money, is funded entirely through the generosity of their supporters. Thanks to the support they receive, Macmillan provides the practical and emotional support which makes a real difference to people living with cancer today – and tomorrow.

I have pledged to raise a minimum of £3,500 to take part in the event, of which at least 65% will benefit Macmillan Cancer Support. I hope to raise much more than this and hope that you will consider sponsoring me in my challenge, which I am aware is a very minor one compared with the challenge that cancer patients face each day.

If you are able to support me in my challenge, please do!......Keep reading after this page!!

Many thanks in anticipation of an early reply

Yours sincerely

Toad! X