*Update*

So, a lot's happened in the last 8 months! What started as 3 of us has now become 5. It will now be Jack, Sean, Si, Neil and me doing the ride next week. We'll also have the help of my Dad, Ron and my brothers Rob & Phil who will be driving a support vehicle along the way (until about 12pm, then it's beer O'clock for them I believe!).

We've all been working hard to be as fit as we need to be and have had some hiccups along the way (me being hit by a car, Jack having his 4th knee operation and the flights all being cancelled are pretty good examples!) but we're nearly there now and raring to go! 

Because of the above, the route's changed slightly to allow for the flights and it will now be as follows:

Day 1 - Camp Nou, Barcelona to Cambrils - Roughly 72 miles                      Day 2 - Cambrils to Alcossebre - Roughly 94 miles                                        Day 3 - Alcossebre to Valencia/Mestalla - Roughly 80 miles                        Day 4 (half day) - Valencia to Alcalali (more importantly, the Bar Porche!) - Roughly 70 miles                                                                                     

So this will take us to a total of 316 miles/ 508 kilometres. We'll be updating this page and Facebook every day of the ride.

More importantly, I'm pleased to report that thanks to everything the CF Trust and the incredible team at Birmingham Children's hospital do every single day, Thea is doing brilliantly and we want to raise as much money as we possibly can so they can keep up the amazing work they do for anybody dealing with CF. 

To everyone who's already donated, thank you so much, we're overwhelmed by how generous you've all been and what you've raised has already made a huge difference. To anybody who hasn't yet donated and is able to, please do, however small, it really is appreciated.  

Thank you! :)

*Original post.....*

Our family have recently been informed that our perfect little Thea has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Before Thursday, these were just scary sounding words that we knew nothing about but we're quickly learning what this means for Thea and our family moving forward. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting genetic condition affecting more than 10,000 people across the UK. It affects the lungs and digestive system and can cause chronic infections and reduced lung function. Currently, half of those with CF will not live past age 41.

Needless to say, this is devastating news for anybody to hear about your pride and joy and at this early stage things are still raw but our overriding feeling is to do whatever we can to help anybody suffering with this disease and all families affected. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is fighting for a brighter future for people with CF by funding cutting-edge research, driving up standards of care and supporting people with the condition and their loved ones.

So, what am I going to do to ask you to part with some of your hard earned cash!?  Well on the 27th of March next year myself and friends Jack and Sean will be taking part in a cycling challenge to ride 500k (sounds more impressive than 310 miles!!) from the Nou Camp in Barcelona to the Mestalla in Valencia in just over 3 days. Now I can appreciate for some cyclists out there, this sounds very achievable but I should add at this point, I am awful on a bike and I promise you, I will earn every penny you're kind enough to donate to what we believe to be a very worthwhile cause.

Thanks for reading this and any donations at all, no matter what size. If we can raise enough awareness and money to make even one person not have to go through this in the future, then it's all worthwhile :)