34 Years ago when I had just turned 7, I lost my dad in a car accident on the way home from his works Christmas party. 5 years later just as I started secondary school I also lost my mum to cancer.

At the time the help available was rubbish and I got through the years of school by keeping quiet. But I didn't really deal with my problems.

As I got older I struggled and got myself into lots of trouble. This is when I needed the most help and there was nothing available to me. Luckily I managed to join the military to get myself away and deal with my demons.

I still often struggle especially on memorable days or events but have much better systems in place due to years of working on myself with help from loved ones and many different experienced professional's over the years.

I want to help children who are in a similar situation to me and give them a better chance of coming out it stronger.

There are two charities I support who can do this.

Winston's Wish a large national company helping kids all over the country, and Simon Says a smaller local Charity based near me in the New Forest and helping Children here in the south.

https://www.winstonswish.org/

https://www.simonsays.org.uk/

I am lucky enough to have both Charities on board helping me raise money to help as many Children and young people as possible.

I found the toughest time was as you grow up and are expected to be an adult and grow up you start questioning everything and struggle to fit into a normal world. For me from 15-25 this is when you really need extra help and both of my chosen charities carry on helping young people through this difficult journey to adulthood.

On the 7th of September 2024 I am going to ride from Lands End to John O'Groats. (LEJOG)

This is 980 miles and I will complete it in 9 days.

Coming from a downhill mountain biking background where a typical run on the bike is 2-3 minutes long I will have to train hard to make sure I can complete this challenge to ride on the roads and start to build some distance up to complete 100-125 miles a day consecutively for 9 days.

I will have to change my training plans and commit the next 8 months to training. I would like to thank Amanda and the kids for supporting me and putting up with me always being on the bike or talking about it for the next 8 months!

Thank you so much for any donations made it is much appreciated and the difference it will make to these children truly will be lifesaving.

Thank you again

James

Every day across the UK, children and young people lose someone significant to them. The death of someone important can be the most traumatic experience a child or young person will ever face.