I am taking part in the Cycle with the Champions event from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th October. 

The 151 mile journey will see me cycle from the truffle centre of Italy to the finish line in the French Riviera . I will begin the challenge in Italy, the route will see the team undulate through stunning Italian and French landscapes, take in breathtaking views and accomplish challenging climbs before reaching the magnificent Monte Carlo.

I am raising funds for Caudwell Children, who provide family support services, equipment, treatment and therapies for disabled children and their families across the UK. They also run an Enable Sport programme for talented disabled athletes and a Destination Dreams holiday for children fighting life-threatening conditions.

Passionate, positive and practical, we are motivated to improve the lives of the estimated 770,000 disabled children living in the UK, starting with the 400,000 living in or on the margins of poverty.

The cause of helping desperately ill children, whose families cannot afford or get the help they so desperately need anywhere else, is so very close to my heart and has been for 20 years. Without our ongoing support and passion, and without help from you, their lives would be much less enriched, much more difficult and, in some cases, they simply would not be able to survive day to day.

This year the charity opened its doors to the new Autism Centre, "The Caudwell International Children's Centre" (CICC). This is Britain's first independent centre dedicated to autism diagnosis, therapy and research. I have contributed over £10 million into developing the centre personally and, in addition, I continue to pay all the operating and administrative expenses associated with the day to day running of the Charity, which currently stands at around £1.25 million each year. 

This makes us totally unique and means that every pound you donate goes directly to helping children.

Together, we can improve so many more children's lives and enable them to reach their full potential!

I really hope you feel you can help us in some way, no matter how big or small, by pledging your support.


How will your donation help a child?

£25,000 will pay for Practical support for 1 year for 25 families facing the stress of their child’s operation.

£20,000 will pay for a multi-purpose, sit to stand powered wheelchair giving a child freedom & independence.

14-year-old Thomas has cerebral palsy, a condition that restricts the movement of his muscles, and has left him unable to stand or walk. He recently received a new sit to stand powered wheelchair from Caudwell Children.
The wheelchair means that Thomas can now concentrate in school again. It has also given him much more independence as it can lift him to five feet high, so he can now mix with his friends at their level.

£5,000 will pay for a individual diagnosis & early intervention programme for one child with autism.

Layla was the youngest of three children and at nine months old her parents took her to the doctor. She rocked severely and they knew something wasn’t right but they were told to ignore it by health professionals who told them she would grow out of it.
As she got older, she became disruptive. Her parents tried everything to get some sort of diagnosis, but nobody seemed to care and nobody would listen to them.
Layla was 10 when she visited Caudwell Children in March this year and within two weeks of her assessment, her parents received a diagnosis - after nearly 10 years of trying. Her parents said that the staff at Caudwell Children were the first people who actually listened to them and looked at their evidence. They observed things in their daughters behaviour that they didn’t even see.

£2,000 will pay for 1 year of physiotherapy for a child who is learning to walk for the first time.

£1,000 will pay for a specialist therapy tricycle for a disabled child.

Nine-year-old Ganaya has cerebral palsy, a condition that affects her mobility, has received a specialist tricycle that will allow her to ride outside with her family and friends for the first time. Ganaya is unable to ride a standard bicycle and she has been a disappointed onlooker when her family and friends have enjoyed bike rides around the local area. But, thanks to Caudwell Children Ganaya can now join in the fun too. Dedicated fundraising support from the charity has helped to raise the money needed to buy a specialist tricycle. 
Ganaya's mum Jayshree, says that the tricycle has not only helped her daughter but has also had a positive impact on the whole family. It has allowed them to get out together and she has even cycled to school and back on it. The tricycle not only provides vital physical therapy but also develops an increased sense of independence and social inclusion, which is so important for children of Ganaya's age. 

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.