Some words on the cause:

As a charity, our care is provided to our patients and their families free of charge. In 2018/19, it will cost over £3.9 million to provide these services to the local community with around 20% funding from the North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group. We therefore need to generate a net contribution of £3.1 million from Fundraising, Gifts in Wills, Lottery and Retail activities to support patients and their families affected by life-limiting illness.Next year, Hospice costs will rise - that's a fact.The Fundraising Department of St. Michael's Hospice is constantly amazed and inspired by the generosity of you, our supporters, and find it especially touching how time and again you are able to think of the Hospice with a donation.

The reason I'm doing it:

At the start of May, my lovely father, Rob, died peacefully in St Michael's. I, my sister, family and friends spent a couple of weeks by his bed and saw at first hand the devoted, sensitive and vital care that the staff of St Michael's provide, both in giving dignity and comfort to those at the end of life and to the people that will mourn them after.

While visiting Dad, I distracted myself while he slept, by searching ebay for bike parts, to build yet another bicycle (my 12th) - this time, around an ex Team GB Pinarello Prince frame. That's when I learned of the Big Wheel, in aid of St Michael's. I promised myself then, that I would finish putting this bike together and ride it to raise a few quid for this wonderful place and to remember both my parents, who have now died, 8 months apart.