As some people already know, Pancreatic Cancer UK is a cause extremely close to our hearts. Like many people across the UK, pancreatic cancer has recently touched our family, and we have seen at first hand the impact that the disease has on those affected, as well as their loved ones.

The problem is that pancreatic cancer can be difficult to diagnose because it doesn’t usually cause many specific symptoms in the early stages. This means that roughly 80% of  pancreatic cancer patients are not diagnosed until the cancer is at an advanced stage. At this late stage, surgery is usually not possible – and this is the only known treatment that has the potential to cure the disease.

To raise funds to help the research into early pancreatic cancer diagnosis, I will be cycling, along with Tim, my brother-in-law, in an event known as ‘Chase The Sun’. On 19 June (the Saturday nearest the longest day of the year), we will set off from the east Kent coast at sunrise (4.41am) and aim to complete a 205-mile ride to arrive at Burnham-on-Sea on the Somerset coast before the sun sets at 9.33pm.

Neither of us have cycled this far in a day. While it is a group event with a map and a briefing at the start, it is unsupported, so getting there without mishap on the way is all down to us.

If you would like to help us raise some much needed funding for a great cause – and also give us extra motivation to slog through the preparatory training programme (well, me much more than Tim) – simply click on the link and throw us your spare change.

Thank you.