Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I am competing in the Virgin Money Cyclone race to raise money towards a scholarship at Newcastle University.

As Chairman of Council I will obviously do my best for the University while I am here, but I would also like to leave something behind. I have decided to take part in a number of fund raising events over the duration of my chairmanship to create a scholarship fund.

Access to higher education is increasingly costly and this will make it ever harder for talented and deserving young people to fulfill their ambitions. This fund, to be allocated on the basis of need and merit, would be used to support them. With your donation, gift aid and additional funding from myself, I hope we can create something of lasting value. 

The challenge itself consists of three different options and I am attempting the hardest of them (104 miles) described by the organisers as:

"A serious challenge for the more experienced cyclists or those who are very fit. The route is very hilly with 2374m (7789ft) of climbing. The route is very choppy with 8 significant climbs and the highest point is Troughend Common (340m), west of Otterburn in the Cheviot Hills."

Needless to say I do not exactly fit their recommended profile!

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. 

So please dig deep and donate now.

Thanks,

Mark.