My sister Clare (on the right of the photo) and niece Emma (on the left) have taken up the challenge to raise money for the PSP Association in the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100 on 31 July in memory of our mother/ grandmother. PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) is a degenerative disease which Mum suffered from PSP for 7 years until her death in 2008. By the end, she could neither speak nor swallow and at times could only communicate by blinking or a hand gesture. It was saddening and painful for us to watch helplessly as her condition deteriorated, although her stoicism, determination and courage in dealing with that has been an enduring inspiration. We hare hoping that we will show similar fortitude on the fearsome Surrey Hills at the end of the month.

The PSP Association was very helpful at the time of Mum’s illness but it was at that time in its early stages and we have been so impressed by how much it has developed as an organisation, whether for support and advice or in its groundbreaking and very exciting research. The opportunity for us to do this challenge together for the PSP Association and help it make further advances with its work has been a long time coming. The PSP Association is effective and makes good use of its income - we have personally covered all the costs of entry etc, so all the money raised will go to its work. I hope you feel able to support this cause.

If you'd like to more about PSP and the PSP Association, please go to http://www.pspassociation.org.uk

Thanks, Charlie