When I was young, Leukaemia seemed to be a disease which affected people I didn't know and something which would never affect me. However when my Mum was diagnosed, I began to talk to people, lots of whom knew others who had suffered from the disease. Leukaemia became very real.

Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells and is caused by the bone marrow releasing under-developed cells into the blood stream. This leads to the immune system being destroyed and any infection becoming potentially fatal. While being easier to treat in children, it is very difficult to treat in adults, the only options being intensive chemotherapy, in itself, highly dangerous, or bone marrow transplants.

When my Mum, Gill Bottle, was diagnosed, it was the scariest time of our lives for me and my family. The four months of treatment before her death on 5th May 2007, were made easier only by her courage and the amazing work of the staff on the Neutropenic ward.

Very recently, my good friends and cycling companions also suffered a family loss at the hands of Leukaemia. Richard Rawcliffe died on 15th January 2008.

So, the six of us, myself, my wife, Jan and Jo, Bob, Jenny and Richard Mansell have decided to embark on the challenge of a lifetime to raise funds for LInC, the Leukaemia charity based at Cheltenham hospital. LInC not only aims to improve the treatment and care of their patients but also to raise a million pounds to fund a research post which will contribute to world-wide research.

Thank you, in advance, for sponsoring us....we hope that eventually others will not have to suffer in the way that we and our families have. Rest assured, we will provide photos of six unfit cyclists at various stages of our 1000 mile journey!!

Thank you,

Jan, Jo, Bob, Jenny, Richard and James

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Linc The Leukaemia And Intensive Chemotherapy Fund 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.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.