Hi there one and all. On July the 14th this year I'm taking part in the Etape du Tour. This event is for amateur cyclists which takes place on the first rest day of the 2012 Tour de France in the Pyrenees region. Etape roughly translates as stage, so effectively one stage of the Tour de France. A few days after this event the professional riders will do the same route, albeit slightly faster!

As some of you may know my son, Samuel, was born last year with a condition known as Transposition of the Great Arteries and was required to undergo a 'switch' operation so that his arteries are now the correct way around. Samuel underwent open heart surgery at 8 days old and is now at home doing very well. My partner, Rachel, and I, believe that it is due the expertise and love shown by the Bristol Children's Hospital that Sam, is alive and well and with us today.

Being an obsessive, sorry, I mean avid cyclist I decided to have a go at this year's event knowing that 197km up and over the pyrenees was not going to be easy. Then again neither was what Samuel went through and if by doing this I can make a difference to all the other children who find themselves in the care of the professionals at BCI, then so be it.

With your support, I know we can make a difference. Many thanks to you all.

Please feel free to donate either a small token amount because you want to, or tell me what you pledge when I've finished, or give me a certain amount for every km completed but...remember... there's 197 of them and whilst I'm no spring chicken anymore, I won't give up that easily. Thanks all!!