If it had not been for the generation who defeated Nazism I hate to think what sort of world we of later generations would have grown up in. We can pay back a little of the immense debt we owe that generation by supporting those who are left when they need help. The RAF Benevolent Fund does that, but it can't support them unless we support it. If I can raise funds for it by cycling up a few hills, it's nothing to what that generation did. I'm doing the ride in memory of two Second World War erks -  my uncle Jack Acton from County Cork and John Russell from the Isle of Wight.

Why call it Operation Grand Old Duke of York? Because I'll be  cycling up to the top of the hill, and cycling down again. Repeatedly.