Hi my name is Richard and I have signed up to participate in the Nightrider London 100k event to raise awareness and funds for a charity called Caring Matters Now. This is because on the 27th March 2014 my baby girl Isabella-Grace was born into this world. Isabella was born with a medical condition called Congenital Melanocytic Nevus (CMN), which consists of large brown birthmarks covering up to 80% of the body. The condition can also have very serious medical complications and sadly there is currently no cure. I vowed from the moment I first laid eyes on my little girl and held her in my arms that I would do everything in my power to help find a cure for this condition. The past 21 months have been the happiest of my life and at the same time soul destroying, as there is not a second that passes when I don't worry and pray for Isabella’s health. 

I have always enjoyed cycling from a young age. I was only a little older than Isabella when I first took to 2 wheels as crazy as it sounds. I was some what fearless just as Isabella is now! Her character and bravery is overwhelming. Recently I have rediscovered my passion for cycling and only now am I putting it to good use by raising awareness and funds for Caring Matters Now, as this charity helps to fund research into my daughter’s condition at Great Ormond Street Hospital London. Caring Matters Now also supports those affect by CMN by holding many support events across the UK, providing support materials and so much more. We attended one of the support events last year and it was awesome, as for the first time my wife and I felt at ease and that we were not alone! It was so nice to be surrounded by people who understood the condition and could support my daughter. Caring Matters Now has given us hope and this is why I am taking part in the Nightrider event.