On Sunday 29th July I am taking part in my first Prudential Ride London after having to pull out of the London Marathon after getting hit by a car door in Sainsbury's car park ( long story). 

Its a closed road, 100 mile cycling event that starts in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, traveling through the capital and into Surrey’s stunning countryside, finishing on The Mall.

I have transferred the very kind donations made for my London Marathon page to this event.

I'm doing this for the Lily Foundation, the charity we founded in 2007 in memory of my daughter Lily, having lost her battle to Mitochondrial Disease at just eight months old.

She was diagnosed at 7 weeks and we were told that she had just days to live. The extra six months she gave us were very precious and we have some treasured moments. Possibly most importantly we have  happy memories to share with Lily's sisters, Katie and Rosie when they ask us questions about their little sister.

Finding little in the way of specialist knowledge or support available to help, as a family we set out to provide answers for us and others in our situation. And so, The Lily Foundation was created. The charity now supports over 300 families and forms a vital link between patients, doctors and medical science bodies.

Mitochondrial disease is a severely life-limiting genetic condition that can affect any person at any time in their life. The term in fact refers not to one specific illness, but to many diseases caused by faulty mitochondria. These tiny 'organelles' are present in every cell in our bodies and are responsible for generating over 90% of the energy we need to live. When mitochondria fail, it can affect any part of the body in a variety of devastating ways. Someone suffering from mitochondrial disease might suffer symptoms such as poor growth, muscle weakness and pain, seizures, vision and/or hearing loss, gastrointestinal issues, learning disabilities and ultimately organ failure. There is currently no cure, but The Lily Foundation with your help want to change this.

I have the absolute privilege of meeting so many of our families we support at various events including our annual family weekend.  I am so proud to be part of Team Lily to help provide the support these families deserve. Many of my cyclists are also taking part in memory of their little loved ones, because they live with the reality of the disease and others because they are touched by our cause.

Please sponsor me so we can continue the vital work the charity does every day.

You can donate directly to this page or text 

DMRL50 £10 to 70070 to donate £10. 

To find out more about The Lily Foundation please visit our website www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk

I know I have asked before, but please, every single penny counts - the money you help us to raise year on year really does make a difference.

Thanks

Dave