"There is never a day goes past

When I do not think of the wreck

From which I emerged, so long ago

Adorned with the awkwardly-stitched chain mail

Partially embedded in the minds’ flesh, that I used

To protect myself from family.

And the under-inflated life belt,

Fashioned from crippled reflexes

With which

I stayed afloat on the waves of the world."

Remembrance of my own childhood (as part of what can be politely referred to as a "dysfunctional" family), makes it clear to me that the biggest cause of society's problems is the way that childhood experiences leave their mark, on children. A child's mind is like blotting paper. Whatever it is told, whatever it experiences, this will shape it's character and personality for the rest of it's life, including the ability to evolve mechanisms to deal with the after effects of any of the many forms of abuse, if given the opportunity, realisation of the possibility, or help.

Children need protection from abusive adults to avoid becoming abusive adults themselves, in their turn. The NSPCC exists to enable something which, in previous ages, was deemed to be the private concern of individual families and not anyone else's business. Well, now we know better. For all the repressed, hurt, damaged and abused children of, in this case, the UK, I hope you can dig deep to help me fund the help that they need. I view the work of the NSPCC as a process of dealing with the problems of our culture at root, which is always the most effective place to enable improvement.

Please donate to my ride which, at my advanced years (64) and post-spinal injury recovery, I am sure you will deem enough of a challenge and worthy of your support.

Thank you.