Christmas 2011, and so much (over) self-indulgence made me think that in 2012 I'd do something a bit mad, but altruistic.

Initially I was going to grow my hair like Will Gompertz for charity, but decided maybe that's a bit too mad !

Then I thought I'd do something in honour of my sister, Clare, who we always miss at Christmas time. 

For those that don't know me so well, Clare was killed in an 'accident' with a skip truck while riding her bike in London in 1996, and it saddens and maddens me that nothing seems to have  improved with cycle safety in the last 16 years, despite the London Mayor encouraging more and more cyclists on to London's roads without the proper safety measures in place first.

So, in Clare's memory, I have signed up to cycle from London to Amsterdam - 300 miles - in 2 days.

No mean feat I think you'll agree, but on top of that, I have to raise £1,250 by August as part of the gig. So it's not one, but two massive challenges!

The charity that is running this bike challenge, and who I am raising the money for, is Scope. 

It's a charity that helps the disabled, which is what Clare would have been had she lived, as her injuries would have been life changing.

The money raised will help countless disabled people train for work. Help give a disabled child some freedom with a full adapted trike. Give families with a newly diagnosed child with cerebral palsy much needed support, or many other ways to help those people who are less fortunate than most of us.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and if you can afford to donate a sheckle or two, I'd be very grateful.

Oh, and if you are a UK tax payer. Don't forget to tick the Gift Aid box, as it will go a long way to help reach my target.

 

Muchos gracias my friends, colleagues and anyone else who comes across my page.

Mark