I'm no athlete.

Several words have been used to describe me in the past, many completely inappropriate to recount here. However, whether they were complimentary or derogatory, one that has never been used to my knowledge is - athletic.

Some time ago I enjoyed riding a bike. I cycled to work in my early 20's, over 10 years ago, when it wasn't raining and I wasn't competing with a hangover. But then my drivers licence and a change in job saw the back of the bike. I haven't been on a saddle since.

Then last year, my father passed away. In his earlier life we shared many of the same interests. A love of good wine and malt whisky, a 20-a-day habit and a firm workaholic mindset. Each of these interests inflicted their toll upon his health and finally, last year in the closing stages of his life he was bed-ridden at home being cared for by my amazing mother and brother suffering from chronic heart failure and multiple myeloma.

Those last few months were painful for everyone. Seeing the strong, proud, exuberant, charming man that was my father slowly fading away affected us all in ways that are very difficult to explain. We miss him terribly, every day, but his passing has inspired us to do things we never would have done.

My handsome, charming and equally un-athletic brother, for example, has decided to run for Macmillan Cancer Support, an amazing charity that helped our family a great deal during a very difficult period. Please visit his page and read his (far more eloquent) version of events and leave a donation: http://www.justgiving.com/Ray-Hassan

In a similar vein, I have decided to get my poor body back on track and try and do something a little challenging in the process while making money for a good cause.

I don't go to a gym. I don't walk anywhere a car could take me faster. I spend my working life on planes and eating hotel food. Then, two weeks ago I bought a bike and signed up for a 52 mile Bikeathon for a great cause.

 

 

 

Leukaemia & Lymphoma research are the only UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of patients with all types of blood cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Their life-saving research is focused on finding causes, improving diagnosis and treatments, and running groundbreaking clinical trials for all blood cancer patients.

And I need your help to make £500 for them to keep doing the great work they do. My first 5 miles on that bike caused me enough pain to be worthy of at least double that amount - please bear that in mind when choosing how much to donate!

So Please, dig deep, tell your friends and give whatever you can. And of course, if you feel like joining in, or coming to offer some support, you can find details of the event here: http://leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk/londonbikeathon

Thanks all and please give generously!!