As you generous, long-suffering friends know, I've done a few sponsored bike rides over the years - but this really is the ultimate challenge. From May 28 to June 10 I'm cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End in aid of The Rosemary Foundation - the hospice at home charity whose nurses cared for my dad during the final weeks of his life in 2010. They are completely reliant on charitable giving and every penny I raise will go to support their fantastic work.

I'm teaming up with four friends from Farnham to realise a lifetime's ambition to cycle the length of the country (before my 56-year-old legs give up completely). We will average nearly 75 miles a day for two weeks, burning a total of 70,000 calories each and climbing 45,000 feet - the equivalent of Everest and Mont Blanc.

If you are reading this it means you are (hopefully) making a donation to the cause - for which I am very grateful.

I'll be paying my own medical bills once we reach Lands End......

And here's the official stuff: Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. 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.