Note: This is not a 'charity' place on this ride. I paid for my own entry in the general ballot. I pay for all my own costs. None of your donations are paying for me to have a jolly. 100% of what you donate goes straight to the charity (minus JustGiving fees). 

Four years ago my eldest son, Jacob, was diagnosed with autism. At the time it seemed like the greatest loss I could imagine - the future had stolen my longed-for first son. However, in time I learned that nothing had been taken away - Jacob was and is, in fact, a gift, a blessing who is as funny, unique, loving and has as much potential as if he were neurotypical. Sure, the goalposts have moved and we're playing a different game now, but that's no better or worse. Just different.

 And that is the theme behind the NAS, whom I am raising money for - "Accept difference. Not indifference". As the father of an autistic son I know first-hand of the great work that they do in supporting autistic people and their families through childhood and on into adulthood, when the state support has long-since dried up.

So, what is my challenge? Riding the Prudential RideLondon 100 is what! Simply, this will be the longest one-day ride that I have ever done. 100 miles through London and Surrey, taking in much of the Olympic cycle route including Leith Hill and Box Hill (thankfully only once each, unlike those poor pros), cycling with 22,000 other cyclists in the UK's largest mass participation cycle event ever. I aim to average about 15mph over the 100 miles, with a time of around 7 hours.

 Thanks in advance for your generous giving. To give you an extra incentive, everything you donate will be matched, pound for pound by my employer. So, come on, donate big and get some money for nothing out of a bank for a change!!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.