As a teenage racing cyclist I was in absolute awe of the top cyclists who would try to break the national record for riding from one end of the UK to the other, Land's End to John O'Groats. From that time on it became one of my personal targets to achieve in my cycling life. Starting on Saturday 09th September 2017, I will be leaving Land's End and attempting to cycle for 9 days and 969 Miles in total to reach John O'Groats on Sunday 18th September.

This didn't start out as a charity event for me. This is my personal goal - it is something I have set out to do and I have already personally paid all of the costs associated with the ride. But over recent months in mentioning the event to friends and colleagues in the Insurance Market, many have really encouraged me to help charity through the ride and responded with kind offers of donations. To all of you I thank you - in thinking of the charities it has brought an even stronger purpose to the ride.

My three chosen charities are:

MacMillan Nurses - In memory of my Father who died of cancer 25 years ago this coming January - too soon - always there for me when I was growing up - now always missed. No need to say more.

The Not Forgotten - A charity I was introduced to by good friends in the Insurance Market. A real lesson to me in facing real challenge and adversity, positively and with humility. I have had the pleasure to attend a number of their events and meet a number of inspirational people.

The Emma Cameron Foundation - I met Emma's father through a cycling event organised by a Fleet Risk Management Company who are run by very keen cyclists, great guys. Emma sadly passed away on 1st April 2011 following an 18 month battle with cancer and the foundation supports children with cancer and their families. To hear and read how she loved life and lived it in all its fullness even through her illness was again hugely inspirational.

Any donations, however small will be gratefully received, paid fully to and split equally between the charities.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Martyn