When introduced by a friend to Missing People last year, I was struck by the simple positioning and practical values of the charity and those associated with it.  And as a parent, I simply will not allow myself to imagine the pain of not knowing the welfare of a child or loved one - this charity strikes a very simple chord, and one that we should all relate to.

So whilst it may seem predictably unimaginative for me to be joining up with the raft of middle-aged folks clad in strange Lycra who clog up the country lanes of deepest, darkest Kent.....I do it with a real sense of purpose.

In late June I will set off from Edinburgh to cycle to London over 5 days. That's just over 100 miles per day, which sounds a lot.

Those of you who know me from old will understand the family relevance of this route. Those of you who know me a little might have heard me bang on about claims to having been an athlete in my time. Problem is, I genuinely have no idea as to how hard this will be. I am writing this from my bed on yet another mucky Sunday morning with the wind howling and the rain lashing down. Do I head East to the Thanet coast where I will be buffeted by the so'westerly on the exposed return OR do I go south west into the valleys where the lanes are covered in moss and mud from the never-ending winter? So I am saying it is hard to put in the training. But I will do it, because it matters and there is no better reason for doing something well.

Please have a think as to whether you would like to sponsor me on this ride.  The charity really is great: they need funding to maintain the lifeline that their support structure offers to the scarily large population of people who lose contact with a loved one. Their principle of offering anonymity, but with simple tools to enable those making a conscious decision to break ties yet still assure family of safety is strikingly effective.

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.