I was 25 and went to my GP to find the cause of my increasing deafness.  It'll be a build of wax in my ear canal maybe? Tuning fork to Audiogram to MRI scan later as I was walking from Leeds railway station to the General Infirmary, I thought the worst outcome is I'll go deaf in my left ear.

What little did I know...

When the scan was shown with the brain tumour deforming my brainstem and the only option left surgery, I wasn't convinced of a positive outcome.

This year I reach 50 years of age. And as BANA would say I am Forever Grateful for the life-saving care I received.  With my left nerve of hearing and balance lost to my tumour, after my 5 year 'all clear' I asked if I could ride a bike again? the reply 'you can try, be careful'

Although drop handlebars are a no no, my bike now leans to the right, and right-hand corners are downright scary it doesn't stop me from 'trying'

On the 15th April, I will set off with laden panniers to complete a circumnavigation of the Baltic sea.  Known as the EuroVelo 10 the route will see me travel through the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, but alas not Russia, Finland, and Sweden.

I'm not a fast cyclist, cake stops are mandatory, so I am taking unpaid leave from work to complete this ride.

Please consider donating to L25 the neurology / spinal surgery ward that cared for me and BANA, because with MRI technology we can find these tumours easily but we need to offer support to the next generation of Acoustic Neuroma patients.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast, and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.