Hugh J Boswell, where I work, has selected the Community Sport Foundation (https://www.communitysportsfoundation.org.uk/) as its charity of the year. The foundation has been established since the early 90's and since then has been bringing sport (and all of its benefits) to hundreds of thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds across East Anglia. 

It's been a while since I did my bit for charity so wanted to couple this fundraising effort with my love of cycling in the French mountains. I searched for something suitably arduous and stumbled across the Club des Cinglés which, translated, means "the club for the mad"! (http://www.clubcinglesventoux.org/en/).

Joining the club demands a complete ascent and descent of all 3 paved routes to the summit of Mont Ventoux (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Ventoux) - a regular destination for the Tour de France. The club was established around 30 years ago and since that time only 14,000 successful attempts have been completed. That sounded like a challenge worthy of some fundraising and will involve 100 miles of cycling incorporating around 15,000ft of ascent.

So, on 4th September I will drive with 3 friends to Provence in the South of France. We will tackle the cycling on the 5th, then travel back on 6th September! There's no room for error, no "weather windows", no option but to get it done!

I would very much appreciate your support to motivate me on the journey. 

Thanks in anticipation from me, and all those who will continue to benefit from the outstanding work of the Community Sports Foundation.