This September, I am undertaking a unique 475 mile cycling challenge to raise awareness of and funds for The Not Forgotten. This support being essential to enable us to deliver activities, entertainment and challenge events to support over 10,000 beneficiaries a year.

From 17 to 23 Sept the team – including amputees, those with visual impairment, mental injury and trauma including PTSD from their time in the forces – will be pushing through a gruelling 475-mile cross-country cycle challenge – the ‘Tour de Not Forgotten’.

Our route, designed especially for us by our expert cycling partners Bikecation, forms roughly the shape of The Not Forgotten’s elephant’s head logo… from the grave of founder, Marta Cunningham, in West Ealing, London; calling in to greet other veterans and supporters at Portsmouth, Poole, Taunton (the home of 40 Commando who I worked with (including in Afghanistan) for years as an Army Commando and Gurkha), Bristol (through my home territory of the Mendips and Chew Valley) and Hereford; and finally finishing after 6 days at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Supported by Bikecation, we will tackle up to 95 miles each day over 6 days, a serious test of physical and mental endurance, pushing personal boundaries.