More than thirty years ago my cousin lost her first husband with to a malignant brain tumour- Richard was 27 years of age but he lived to see his second child born.

Some years later my cousin remarried and her second husband George became a great father to her two children whilst also being a great father to his own children.

George was always happy, he and Mary developed a very successful business which they sold so that they could retire and travel whilst also being able to spend more time with their children and the growing number of grand-children.  Not long after the sale of the business George was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma – a nasty cancer which is difficult to cure and is known to spread.

The disease did spread but the NHS hospital that looked after him continued to support him with his ongoing battle with the disease which he fought with the help of Mary and his children and grandchildren.

There were times when he could live a relatively normal life but then there were times when he was physically dragged down by the treatments he received to keep him alive.  Psychologically this must have been not only difficult for him but for all his family.

But as if this was not enough Mary was also diagnosed with Breast Cancer and she was also receiving treatment at the same time – and there were weeks when both of them spent most of their time in hospital.

Tragically in February this year he died have fought the disease for nine long years.

Cancer is a disease we all fear and my father has also had skin cancer – and again has been well treated by the NHS.

Treatments are continuing to improve but the cancer charities always need more money to aid their research.

In our business we see cancer every day and many people survive and resume good lives but many are not so lucky.

This is why Alan and myself are getting on our bikes once again – this time for a very personal reason.  This time we will take on a challenge that is more difficult than before.  It is twice as long – 8 days of riding and it is more difficult as it takes in the Jura Mountains between Paris and Geneva and then the Alps between Geneva and Nice.

Therefore no matter how much it hurts or how much we suffer – nothing will be like the suffering that George and Mary have been through and the many people like them.

Please therefore give generously to this cause and help us on our way.

We will be tweeting on route – so the money will help motivate us and drive us on to the finish for a glass of bubbly which we will raise to you and all those that support this cause.

Thank you