Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

It's done and it was much harder than I thought it would be; partly because I kept up with a group of lifelong non-smokers on the outward journey from a mountain-biking club up near Winchester; a nice bunch of guys, but a lot more comfortable powering up long hills than I am.

Anyway, I did it in eight hours an seven minutes, which, despite being over the eight hour target, makes me feel very smug.  My wife, Amanda, her parents, sister and niece came to see me arrive back at the Shanklin finish point.  I'm very grateful for that; it was lovely.

I want to raise money for Age Concern Isle of Wight, who provide services and support, including vital home and personal care, for older people on the island. 

I am really grateful to everyone who has sponsored me so far, and I hope I can persuade a few more to add to it.  I have chosen the target of £900 because that is what it costs ACIW every day to fund their services.  I hope, when you have looked at their website and considered the importance of what they do, particularly in a time when government and local authority services are facing cutbacks, you will offer a donation of whatever you can afford to this valuable local charity.

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated.  The page remains active for a month after the event, and I may do something else, later on, to try to top it up.  Please nudge friends, acquaintances and bosses to the page.

I am dedicating this effort to my late Grandmother, Winifred Mason, who died late last year, at the age of 98.  She had the good fortune to live close to loving family throughout her later life and to be spared the isolation, loneliness and poverty which can befall older people in an ever more busy and impersonal society. 

Winifred was a woman of indomitable curiosity and loyalty who would have found the idea of me taking part in any sporting event incomprehensible.  However, I know she would also have been supportive and would have very much enjoyed hearing about it and passing on the news, with her own twists, to the rest of our extended family.

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 it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.