A few weeks ago I decided to take on the challenge of cycling from London to Paris in 3 days!! Having cycled to Wales on a Raleigh racing bike 23 years ago, I was confident that this challenge would be well within my capabilities; 2 weeks and 70 miles later I am realising that I still see my youth through rose tinted glasses and should also have remembered that I asked my Dad to pick me up from Wales as my backside was so sore!!

So why am I putting myself through so much torture again??? As a father of two young children I found it shocking and upsetting to learn that 100,000 children under the age of 16 run away from home or care in the UK each year of which 70,000 are not even reported missing by their parents or carers! Suzanne my wife works for the charity Railway Children who provide critical support and services for these children who end up living alone and at risk on the streets of the UK; putting myself through some discomfort and pain seems a small price to pay to raise money to help these vulnerable children.

These children run away or are forced to leave homes where they suffer poverty, violence, abuse and neglect. They find themselves living on the streets because they have nowhere else to go and no one left to turn to. The problems these children face on our streets are often even worse than those they endured at home with children being particularly vulnerable to drugs, alcohol, crime and sexual exploitation.

By sponsoring me in my London to Paris cycle ride you will help Railway Children to provide these vulnerable children with the safety, support and services they so desperately need.

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.

So please dig deep and sponsor me today.