This year I'm riding a pile of cycling events to raise funds for Diabetes UK (and to reduce my risk of getting diabetes). In my spare time I work for Diabetes UK.

Anything you can give would be great. Why?

1. They need all the help you can give them. Diabetes is massive in the UK (3.2 million people are diagnosed, 850k don't yet know they have it) and it's growing. Most people don't yet understand how vital it is we do something about it.
2. With good support, information, care and a whole of self-discipline people with diabetes can get along fine. The quality of the care and education you get still depends on where you live. That makes me angry and I want to do something about it. If you want to know more there is a ton of information at Diabetes UK's website (www.diabetes.org.uk).

As well as endless days in the saddle training I will be riding:

The Hell of the North (100km of rough tracks, fields and other  stuff not suitable for a road bike) DONE

The Tour of Cambridgeshire (128km of flat, fast riding) DONE

Ride London 100 (100 miles on the Olympic road race course, lots of people and big hills) DONE

An ascent of Col De La Madone - the mountain the pro's use to test their climbing before La Tour. I'll be doing it sans EPO. (10km of steep, windy roads up to 925m) DONE

London to Paris (234 miles over 3 days)

When you include training it will amount to thousands of miles and metres climbed. It means a lot of early mornings and time spent out in all weathers.

I'm doing all this for a few reasons:

* My dad has diabetes and has had the same challenges lots of people have had and a few more since some major surgery.

* I work for Diabetes UK and have met hundreds of people who need better support and get very variable levels of care. Some of the stories I've heard make my blood boil with frustration (especially the poor support so many kids get in school). 

If you don't know Diabetes UK, it works to support people, campaigns for better care and funds research. We do all this for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes - there is a big difference between the two.

I have asked some of you for money before. I totally understand If you don't want to donate again but I would appreciate if you could forward to anyone who might.

The technical bit:

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.