As you may recall for the past few years I’ve taken time out to help raise money for a children's charity, Norwood, who are dedicated to helping children with severe learning difficulties. In March Norwood approached me and explained that they needed money to restore a specially equipped playground for these children. The sum they needed was £65,000.

I agreed to lead a small group of cyclists and set ourselves a challenge, to cycle from the southern tip of Ireland to the most northerly point, a distance of 850k. The team set about training for this marathon and it was during this training that disaster struck. One April day I hit a submerged pothole and the bike and I parted company and I landed heavily on the road, breaking my collar bone. This required surgery and the insertion of some metal work to rejoin the bits together.

So instead of training for Ireland I have had to take a break of some three months. I am now able to cycle once more but, after such a gap and with the shoulder still not pain-free, cycling long distances is still a challenge. However my goal is still to help equip the playground and so I’m now planning to join a ride in Kenya this October and cycle 500k through some quite difficult terrain. My target is to a more modest £3000 and I really need your help.

I know that the economy is still tough but please can you help me try to bring some fun into the lives of children with severe learning difficulties.    

Thanks as ever for your support.