Early in May I became the Mayor of Great Dunmow for a year, and one of my more pleasant duties is to raise money for charity. My way of doing this is by doing the London to Cambridge Cycle Ride on 26^th July 2009. The route is 60 miles long and I am going to need as much encouragement as possible to finish the ride. (The major problems I anticipate include wobbly legs and a sore backside…)

ACCURO (Care Services) is a charity working in Essex (with a branch and a youth club in Dunmow) which supports families who have a child or adult with a physical or learning disability. They provide lots of services such as holiday schemes, respite care, a weekly youth club and a one-to-one befriending scheme for young people between 13 and 19. All the money I raise for ACCURO will be spent locally to expand their fine work.

The other charity I am supporting is Alzheimer’s Society Uttlesford (www.justgiving.co.uk/gwynndavies-alzheimers) another locally based charity which provides support for dementia sufferers and their carers.

I’m not asking you to support both charities (unless you want to!) but at the end of my year all funds will be shared out equally between ACCURO and Alzheimer’s Uttlesford.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: the charities will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. Remember that your donation goes direct to Accuro's bank account, not to me.

Many thanks for your support.

Gwynn Davies.