I am cycling between London to Brighton on 17/06/2018 in memory of my dear friend Lynn Robotham - Matey. I would also like to raise funds for Rowins Trust who supported and cared for Lynn & his family.

Lynn was a dear friend who sadly passed in October 2016. He was a loving caring and passionate man who loved life his family,friends & Pompey F.C !

So why MATEY you may ask . Lynn put his heart & sole in to many things during his life. This was very much the case when, in 1987 Lynn & I went sailing from HMS Hornet in Gosport. There had been a storm & it was a little choppy, some wharfs had been damaged & had even come adrift during the storm. We had to leap from one wharf to another but located our mirror dinghy to start our sailing adventure. On the day in question you would sign for the boat & would be provided with a bag containing sails and safety equipment, grab the tiller & oars & then locate the boat.All was going well until i noticed that the Halyard ( rope that lifts the main sail) had come adrift during the storm and was lying in the boat. I needed to shimmy up the mast & refit the halyard, return to the deck so we could lift the sail. This I discussed with Lynn - we had a plan ! I would shimmy up the mast & Lynn would balance the boat using his body mass to counteract my movement & keep me steady as i gained height. It was at this time that Lynn (who had never been sailing) began to use Naval terminology " Ok Captain you shimmy up - I have control" I began my climb to "steady as she goes", I reached around 4 meters and there was movement at 5 meters i began swinging through an ark of around 40 degrees, hanging on for dear life and swinging around like a pendulim ! I looked down to see my shipmate sitting & hugging the mast with legs tucked in & NO counterbalancing whatsoever. Instructions were provided rather promptly, Lynn spread his weight and the mast was steadied before i threaded the halyard & returned to the deck . The joy continued as we sailed out on to the Solent & passing sailors were greeted by my shipmate as he controlled the foresail. " Ahoy there " Ahoy there Matey had a good sail ? " Ahhhhh bit choppy today Matey as he addressed me - 2 points to Starboard matey !!! I was in tears by this point and the truth is dear Matey did not know which way was port & which was starboard! We returned to HMS Hornet safely, "all secure matey " Everything stowed Matey " We popped in to the pub on the way back to Horndean " Want a pint Matey ? Yes please Matey ! Colin & Lynn were seldom used from that day on .

That is one story of my friend Matey but Matey still survives.Alec & Suzanne (Lynns children)are also Matey's as is his lovely wife Cathy who is Katey Matey.

Rowins Trust support families in times of severe sadness. They provide medical care & support and are on hand at the most difficult of times 24/7. They supported my friends & Dear Matey to his final day and continue to support & care for others each day & night.

Please give to this very worthy cause in the memory of our dear friend Lynn/Matey.

Thank you - Colin Bradley (Matey)