***** UPDATE *******

Both members of the team have completed two thirds of their mission to exercise the equivalent distance of Lands end to John O Groats, and their virtual selves are currently on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Brian Salmon will complete his mission by making his way to Pamplona in Spain and for a fortnight cycle the path of the pilgrims' Camino, finishing 700km later in Santiago de Compostela. The route will be tough as not all the paths are on the road and I will be cycling in the Spanish heat and passing over mountains that are 1500 metre tall. Please help to make my long ride count in improving the health of people living in East Kent. Read below to see why this is important and worthy of your donation.

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Six years ago, I thought I would not play sport again. I was overweight; any time I stepped on a 5 a side football court, I had difficulty running and was out of breath and ended up feeling terrible. Two things turned my life around, rediscovering cycling after a 30 year gap and Shepway Sports Trust's Active 50s programme. Now I regularly cycle to work, play walking football and pickleball (indoor tennis), feel in really great shape, and have lost 8kg.

Shepway Sport Trust help so many people in East Kent to live healthy, active lives, as well as the over 50s, they have programmes for schoolchildren, families, those struggling with mental health and encouraging previously inactive women to take up exercise. Experiencing first hand the benefits of their amazing work in the community, I want to help them give many other people the benefits of healthy lifestyles. Recent events have shown there is no better investment than into the health of your community.

I am therefore going to take on an exciting and daunting challenge, to exercise my way virtually from Land's End to John O'Groats (the southernmost and northernmost points in Great Britain) Every time I cycle, walk, play football or pickleball, my virtual self will be credited miles and be advanced along the 1083 mile route between the two points. I will be doing the challenge with my brother Martin Salmon, who has previously run 100 marathons in one year. Together we will be part of the Sports CAFE community (Sports Challenges for Active 50s Explorers). Please consider sponsoring us for 1, 5, 10 or 20 miles. I am hoping to raise at least £1 for every mile I cover. Any donation will make a big difference to Shepway Sports Trust and will enable them to help many more people become active and healthy.

Lands End to John O'Groats the hard way