I have taken the decision to take on a challenge for 2018 in support of CEF's chosen partner charity Macmillan Cancer Support and have signed up for the Deloitte Ride Across Britain (RAB) 2018.

https://www.rideacrossbritain.com/

Ride Across Britain is perhaps a little misleading at first glance since it's not actually that far "across" Britain at any point, perhaps a better name therefore would be "ride the length of Britain" since this is what the challenge is.  RAB is run annually and this year it will run from September 8th to 16th and it involves riding from Lands End to John O'Groats, a distance of around 970 miles in 9 consecutive days at an averaging over 100 miles per day.  Those of you that know me will know that I have previously ridden events of 100 miles, however never back to back and certainly never 9 of them in a row, therefore this is going to present a very real challenge for me and it's one that I am determined to undertake and finish!

Having lost more than one member of my family, including my Dad, to the awful disease that is cancer, and having also known a lot of other people that have been affected in some way or another, I can fully appreciate the invaluable work that Macmillan does for those affected.  Although I never had contact with them directly during my Dad's illness we were always aware of them and I have no doubt that had we had cause to approach them that they would have offered us all the support that they were able to.  The partnership with CEF, for whom I have worked for 27 years, therefore give me an incentive to try to raise some much-needed funds for this inspiring charity.  Its a big challenge for me, however it's nothing like the challenge that already faces some of us, or maybe will face any one of us at any time in our lives when confronted by the life-changing challenge presented by suffering from, or watching others suffer from, cancer.

To be able to ride I need to raise a minimum of £2,100, however it goes without saying that I would like to raise considerably more than this and therefore I would urge all of you that are able to do so to contribute whatever you are able via the link on this page.  Any amount will be greatly appreciated, large or small, and will go some way to supporting this very worthy cause.  Anyone that wants to come and physically support me when I get off my bike in John O'Groats on the 16th of September is very welcome to do so!