I 100% believe that the more active you are, the healthier and happier you are, which leads to a longer life.

Grandad was proof of this. He was an incredible man, anyone who met him would know that. He was a true gentleman; loyal, kind, generous, fun, caring and unbelievably strong. He was also very active, thanks to, not only an incredible attitude, but also Blind Veterans.

He lived to 99 years old, and, despite being mostly blind, Grandad was planting runner beans, raspberries, tomatoes, cauliflowers, potatoes and many more right up until days before he passed away. He still prepared the veg for my Nan to cook, and did the washing up. He wrote the shopping list, and Mum would take him to get his shopping. He wouldn't have been able to do so many of these everyday tasks if it weren't for Blind Veterans. They provided him with so many fantastic aids - from a proper walking stick, to magnifying glasses, to special sunglasses, as well as safety aids around his home.

Grandad once even visited them in Brighton where he tried his hand at blind archery & shooting!

"Blind Veterans UK help blind ex-Service men and women lead independent and fulfilling lives by supporting them with in-depth expertise, experience and full range of services. They give veterans much-needed support to adjust to sight loss, overcome the challenges of blindness and enjoy daily life. Their charity has been offering physical and emotional support to vision impaired veterans since 1915."

The things this charity do for ex-Service men and women is incredible, they really understand the importance of staying independent and happy, no matter your age.

What's the relevance of the bike ride?

After the passing of his mother when he was 12, Grandad moved to Thornton Heath, Croydon with his father. He didn't like it there, and one day, he set off to cycle back to Devon, where he was brought up. However he didn’t know the way, so planned to cycle to Brighton, then simply follow the coast around to Exmouth, and then he knew his way to Sidmouth. However, he got to Brighton, and got lost. He recalled the event as follows:

"I got as far as Brighton, from London, on my bike and I got lost. What I thought, as I didn’t know the way through London to get onto the main road down to Exeter, was if I go down to Brighton, I can go along the coast, and get to Exmouth, then I know my way. Anyway, I got to Brighton and I got lost.

 A policeman stopped me and he said “Where you going son?”

So I said “Oh, I’m just going home”

 “Oh yeah, where do you live?”

 “Down here” I said

 “You do, do you? Come on then, show me where you live”

We walked down the road, walked and walked, and walked.

Eventually he said “Where’s your house?” and he looked at me, he says, “You haven’t got one, have you?”

“No.” I said

“Come on” he said, “We’ll go back to the station.”

So he took me back to the station, and said “Now, when did you last have something toeat?”

And I told him.

“Right”

So his wife made me egg and bacon, I’ll always remember, egg, bacon, fried bread, and a cup of tea, I’ll always remember that.

After that “Now,” he said, “where do you live?”

So I told him, told him London.

Well, they contacted the local police at home, who went round to my Dad’s, said “he’s on such a such train, would you pick him up”

So they put me on this train with the guard and my bike.

We shook hands, you know, all good friends, and I left Brighton to go back to East Croydon station."

Largely because of his fathers reaction when he had to pick him up from the train station, Grandad then decided to join the army.

We are starting the challenge on Wednesday the 13th July, one year on from Grandad's death, and will (hopefully) complete the challenge on Sunday the 17th July.

Caroline, Dom and Mike are doing the full 5 days, 315 miles, with Pat hoping to cycle at least 50 miles of Day 2, Rachel joining in from time to time, Bernard as Support Crew, and Margaret (Nan) as Cheerleader at the finish line!

Thank you so much for your support.