It’s not what you may think, I had my mid-life crisis a few years ago!!

My initial thought was to swim the English Channel, but when planning permission for the indoor swimming pool at home fell through I knew the training would be too much hassle. So, what would be a suitable challenge, something ambitious and memorable? Well I’ve been able to ride a bike for a few years, and last summer the stabilisers came off and (fingers crossed) I haven’t fallen off yet.  Cycling Lands End to John O’ Groats  (LEJOG), that should do it.

Two months ago when I discussed the idea with an old school friend of mine, Tony McDonach, I must admit I felt very confident about taking on the trip. However, when I finally mapped out the route a  couple of weeks ago, and marked up the eight stages on an old Collins map of the UK, the full extent of the challenge came into sharp focus, I thought Manchester was miles North !!

So, with Tony and another friend James, the three of us will depart Lands End early on Saturday 11^th June, with the intention of covering the 910 miles in eight days. Having roped my folks into the adventure, we do now have the added advantage of a support vehicle to carry various bits of equipment, clothing, spare legs, spare buttocks etc etc.

Over the last couple of weeks when I have mentioned to family and friends  about the trip the first question I have been asked is  “Which charity are you doing it for ?”. Initially I hadn’t  intended to get  sponsorship, however the more I have thought about it, the more I have realised it would be a wasted opportunity not to. There are many deserving causes, and I have been touched by peoples promises of generosity !!

My wife Laurence and I are in the fortunate position of having two healthy and happy young boys, and we have many friends in a similar position who have children that are well looked after and are enjoying growing up without fear or cruelty. However, we are all too aware there are many less fortunate children around the world and in the UK, who live in very difficult circumstances and who have experienced cruelty and neglect. 

Therefore, I have decided to cycle LEJOG for the NSPCC whose work goes some way to relieving the plight of less fortunate children. Take a look at the link to their website to understand how they operate and what they do.

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/default.html

All donations will be greatly appreciated, many thanks in advance for your generosity.

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.