Hi everyone.  Once again I'm helping organise and taking part in the Wheels for Change cycle challenge and I'm looking for your support to get me through the miles. 

You all know I love cycling and so we have to make the challenge big enough to justify me asking you for your hard earned beer/prosecco money.  I think we've succeeded! 

This year I'll be cycling 325 miles over 3 days from Harrogate to the London Olympic velodrome.  While the views from up high are going to be stunning, the 20,000 feet of ascent is going to be punishing (that's like 4.5 times the height of Ben Nevis).

This is the fourth Wheels for Change and so far we've raised over £1 million for charity.  This year we're raising funds for the Prince's Trust and the work they do in supporting young people, especially those who haven't had the best of starts in life, to achieve their full potential.

I've been spending a lot of time on the bike training for this, and even took two weeks leave to cycle 1,350km around France and Belgium (following the same route my great-grandad took with the Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1).  Your pounds and cheers of encouragement will be hugely appreciated both by myself and all the fantastic young people that the Prince's Trust helps on the road to success.  What's more, Barclays match any funds I raise so we really are delivering a phenomenal contribution.

So please be as generous as you can be, and if you come to the finish line at the Olympic velodrome on the 18th September I'll buy you a beer to say thanks.

Check out the website www.wheelsforchange.com