Hi there,

Thanks for taking the time to visit my Just Giving Page. 

As most of you are aware my wonderful wife Jules was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in March of this year. To say this was a shock was an understatement. It knocked all of us sideways and puts you on an emotional roller coaster where you live day by day either in hospitals or awaiting the result of tests from visits to the hospital.

Jules was diagnosed with primary grade 3 breast cancer in two places in the right breast and is now mid way through her chemotherapy programme with another  3 sessions to go. This will then be followed by a mastectomy which will remove the cancer.

We are now living through this course of treatment and trying to put a brave face on what is a challenging event in our lives. 

This would not have been possible without help from The Fountain Centre, a charity based in the Cancer Ward, St. Luke's at Guildford hospital. They are there to help you to come to terms with the initial shock by providing counselling, support and a relaxing place to wait whilst waiting for appointments ( believe me, you spend some time waiting!). They have also helped the children deal with the event by offering support to them as well. 

They offer patients complementary treatments to help with relaxation, stress and anxiety of living with cancer as well as medical advice and therapy sessions. One thing which is great is the look good feel better scheme, where they teach cancer patients how to make the most out of their hair loss and changes in appearance caused by cancer and chemotherapy.

It was at her initial diagnosis that I decided that I wanted to do something to help. The fountain Centre is a small charity which is entirely funded by donations from the public and I felt that I wanted to do something to make a difference. 

Following a chat with my brother and Dad we decided that we would cycle coast to coast in the North East. The route takes us from Whitehaven to South Shields near Newcastle.Its 135 miles all off road and over the Pennines and the Lake District. We aim to complete this in 4 and a half days. Not an easy task! We are planning to do this from 29th July to 2nd August, so right in the middle of summer.

There are now 6 of us doing the ride, Myself, Steve Mills, Suzanne Mills, Laurie Mills, Andy Leyssens and Kevin Boyle - The Svelt Six! There a various levels of fitness and skill ranging from reasonably fit to worryingly wobbly. If anybody would like to join in then let me know, the more the merrier. 

Please give generously as my target is to raise £5000.00 for the charity which will make a massive difference to other peoples lives diagnosed with cancer.

Thanks

Mike