Updated on Aug 8th 2012 at 2:45 PM from the JustGiving API

At Ross-on-Wye, a quarter of the way to John O'Groats....

It started out innocently enough.

As a keen (though remarkably average) cyclist I've always fancied riding from Lands End to John O'Groats. Going from one end of the country to the other had a simple, but rather noble appeal to it. It felt like a badge of cycling honour, a marker, something to bore the kids with when I get (even) older.

So one evening over a couple of beers (never a good combination) I gave voice to my long-standing ambition.

I mean, how hard could it be ?

Well, in early August I will find out. Over 13 days, along with my friend Steve Morgan, I will attempt to ride 1,000 miles to the north-east tip of Scotland. And then, clock up a few more miles by going on to Kirkwall in Orkney.

I have been training (I use the phrase in the loosest possible sense) but frankly, I'm petrified. Petrified I won’t be able to finish (many don't). Petrified that I'll come to a pathetic, exhausted halt before I even leave Cornwall. Petrified about what two weeks on an unforgiving racing saddle can do to a man. (If you catch my drift).

But however tough it might by for me (saddle sores, rain, stiff knees, sunburn, headwinds, rain, men in white vans, vicious dogs, rain, punctures, getting lost, rain, dreaming of clean clothes and no doubt crying like a big girls blouse and wishing I'd kept my mouth shut over those beers) I have an added motivation.

My nephew has been dealt a pretty tough hand in life as he was born with something called Angelmans syndrome. Rather than explain the details here, google it. Suffice to say, it tough for him and his family.

Like all kids, George needs a lot of love and care. But a little more care than most.

This is where Kangaroos come in. They provide leisure activities, after school clubs, holiday clubs and respite care for families. They provide the sort of fun activities that are rarely available for children with special needs and they also provide 1-1 care as required.

Kangaroos have been fantastic for both George and for his family and for lots of other severely disabled children and young adults in Mid-Sussex.

But like so many organisations, the great work they do depends on raising funds to pay for all the activities they provide.

So please dig deep and donate to Kangaroos.