Getting to the level of fitness required to participate in a ride that mirrors the route our Olympiads rode in 2012 has been tough, but fun, mainly down to the amazing team members I'll be riding with and the wider Broughton Cycling Group who have been massively supportive in getting a fat old body to a fit old body :).

Training has certainly been intense over the last 6 months riding almost 3000 miles so far this year consisting of 3 x 100+ mile rides and a whopping 200+ mile ride.

As mentioned, I'd like others to benefit from this effort as much as myself and of course, the wonderful organisation that is The Samaritans.

Here's the ask, the team members I am riding with need help as some have been unable, not through want of trying, to reach the required donation amount of £150 to enter the event. I recall the overwhelming support received when we rode for the BHF raising over £10,000 in 2015 and ask once again that you dig deep to get my fundraising page to £350 (£200 to go)..

I can then use the same facility in Vodafone that helped The BHF receive an additional £350. I will then share this additional £350 across the team fundraising page to get as many of the team members up to £150 as we can.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.