Hello All,

Well…here’s one for you! I have finally succumbed to take part in a bike ride with some so called friends, this bike ride is called ‘Chase The Sun.’ It begins in Whitley Bay (just above Newcastle-Upon-Tyne ) at sunrise and ends over 200+ miles away in Ayr at sunset on the same day. This initially was never going to happen! No! No! No!

However, one evening in the company of friends the subject of the ride came up, and a young lady suggested I should do it. This young lady is called Yasmin and she thought the ride would be a splendid idea and she had a plan. Let me tell you quickly about Yasmin: Yasmin was born with Cerebral Palsy and has had endless treatments and operations - some eye opening let me tell you - to help aid her journey. Yasmin receives her treatments at Gobowen Orthopaedic Hospital on the Alice Ward. Through all this treatment Yasmin has never moaned or grumbled- she has just got on with it. So, how could I say no to this inspirational young person? Well….. I tried but to no avail!

Now onto Yasmin’s plan. Yasmin has always wanted to give back and do something for the hospital and ward where she has, and will continue to receive her treatments. Yasmin has asked me and the team of cyclists completing this challenge to raise money that will be donated to the Gobowen Orthopaedic Hospital. The money raised will then be used to transform an outdoor garden space on the Alice Ward so that it is a calm, inviting space, which will be fully accessible for all patients (regardless of mobility). It will mean the absolute world for Yasmin to give something back to what I can only tell you from knowing her since a baby provides a life changing opportunity for young children who have Cerebral Palsy and other orthopaedic requirements. 

I know things are a bit tough currently but this is a fantastic cause, so if you can conjure a little something up please do