I signed up for Ride Across Britain to challenge myself, and to quote Jackie Joyner-Kersee show, "that age is no barrier it's a limitation you put on your mind" as I believe that age is as much a state of mind as it is of body. 

As with many events you get asked who are you doing it for? So what starts as a personal journey slowly becomes tied to a charitable cause. Where I work we have Maggie’s Nottingham as our designated charity, so using my entry to help raise money for them was an easy decision. 

Cancer will affect 1 in 2 of us and at any age. Many of us, including myself, have been or will be touched by Cancer, directly or indirectly and with the Pandemic creating a cancer backlog this is more likely than ever. Having been to Maggies Nottingham and seen the amazing work that they do for those affected by cancer and their families, it has instilled that extra motivation that I will need during the inevitable hard times on the road.

Maggies helps people take back control when cancer turns life upside down, with professional support for everything from treatment side effects to money worries.Maggies has pioneered a programme of psychological, practical, and social support available free of charge to people with any type of cancer delivered by an expert team, including cancer support specialists, clinical psychologists, benefits advisors, nutritionists and relaxation therapists. Support by professional staff is available face to face in the centre or by phone, email or online to help people with stress, fear and anxiety as well as money worries and questions about treatment.Its hard to believe it has been over a year since the start of the pandemic a year in which people with cancer have faced unprecedented levels of anxiety and trauma as a result of delayed diagnosis and treatment, or cancelled surgeries. Maggies has been there throughout.

Your donation will help Maggies make a huge difference to the lives of people with cancer and their families and friends. A donation of just £50 could pay for an hour of immediate support for someone just diagnosed with cancer with a Cancer Support Specialist. Your incredible donations will help many more people when cancer turns life upside down.

How your donation can help:

• £5 can pay for cups of tea for a person living with cancer and their loved ones visiting for the first time.

• £20 pays for one person to attend a nutrition workshop to help people eat well and feel better during cancer treatment.

• £50 pays for an hour of support or advice for someone just diagnosed with cancer with a Cancer Support Specialist.
  

• £300 pays for a Cancer Support Specialist to provide advice and support for all visitors welcomed at a centre each day.

• £2,400 funds our centre for an entire day.