I will bike, ride and walk 500 km in May. (After a very fit April I managed 170km so this is a huge challenge!).

I am raising money for Grief Encounter, my charity of choice. A wonderful charity who care for and help bereaved children. A charity in huge demand at the moment, which make me feel so sad.

My wonderful parents Fred and June Beattie died in 1993 and 1996. I was 16 when mum died and 19 when dad died, both from sudden heart attacks. I had no counselling, it wasn't an option then. Grief Encounter had not been established yet. 

I coped, but not well. I finally sought counselling at university aged 20 and have dipped in out for the rest of my years until now aged 43, and no doubt beyond. It continues to affect me every day of my life.

Grief lasts forever and Grief Encounter do such an important job to help children who are going through what I went through.