Along with my colleagues, I've taken on the challenge of cycling from London to Torquay to raise money for Astriid. I'd sworn never to wear lycra but that seems to have gone out the window......

Some of you may be aware that I contracted Covid in April 2020 and needed to take some time away from work. Unfortunately this was followed by long covid which resulted in me taking a leave of absence from May to August 2021 and from which I am still recovering. This has given me a very small taste of what the individuals that Astriid supports go through on a daily basis, potentially with no end in sight.

What you may not be aware of is that my father was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 38 and given a small chance of surviving. He fought cancer another 5 times over a 20 year period before passing away in 2004. I saw first hand the impact his illness had on his career and mental wellbeing - he was no longer able to continue with his senior role and fell back on skills he had developed in his early 20's. When I first heard of Astriid my immediate thought was how much he would have benefitted from the support and guidance available from Astriid.

I am fortunate that I am in a position to be able to raise funds for a cause that is so close to my heart to help those that are in a similar position to that I experienced first hand with my dad.

Please donate what you can to support this critical fundraising initiative, it will mean so much to me personally, Astriid and those that they help.

Thank you, Scott