On 1st October 2016 I will be venturing to Sri Lanka to embark on the challenge of a lifetime in aid of the charity Teens Unite. I will be forming part of a team who are all cycling to support the same amazing cause.

After arriving in the capital of Colombo, we will be venturing across the South West of the island to complete a staggering 350km route at handlebar level. On average, we will be completing a distance of 60km per day as we travel through a land of misty highlands and tea plantations, dense jungles and national parks all to raise money for a worthy cause.

I’m taking on the challenge to raise as much funding and awareness as I can for Teens Unite; the only UK charity to provide ongoing support to 13-24 year olds fighting cancer from their diagnosis through to post-remission. The charity organises regular workshops and activities that bring the young people together so they can gain strength from each other, benefit from peer to peer interaction, rebuild their confidence and self-esteem and share their thoughts, feelings, hopes and fears with others their age who truly understand what they are going through.

With Teens Unite, a young person is supported throughout their fight against cancer, so they don’t have to face the darker times alone.

My mission is to not only complete the 350km journey, but raise a minimum of £2,700 in the process. I hope you will be support me in this challenge and help to make a difference to the lives of young people fighting cancer.

A lot of you visiting this page will already know my story, or at least the gist of it, but a short summary of what happened is below if you wish to read on...

I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in June 2012 and operated on to have my tumour removed 3 days later. It was the biggest shock of my life and I moment I can never forget.

A lot has happened since then. I had a few months of chemotherapy, a major operation to removed the rest of my cancer, and a couple of very close brushes with death.

I was very lucky to receive the all clear in April 2013 and I am now in remission and have been for nearly 3 years now. I bless every day I still get to walk and breathe on this Earth and know that if this had happened a few years ago, or if I had left it a little longer, I would simply not be here right now.

Teens Unite saved my life just as much as the surgeons, doctors and nurses did. When I got the all clear I just expected too much of life and was soon hit with the realisation that I had to try and be normal and fit in again, which for me, after all I'd been through, was impossible. That's where Teens Unite came in and gave me the encouragement to see out life in the best way possible and, more importantly, gave me the opportunities to do so and for that, I will be forever grateful for having them in my life.

I know the target of £2700 is a high one but with all the supportive people I know and love, it shouldn't be a problem along with me fundraising out and about too!

I will work my butt off for this and I am looking forward to it so much.

Thank you in advance and I'll let you know of my progress whenever something... significant happens :P

Peace & love,

H