From 1st July 2016 to 30th June 2017 I will be President of my local Rotary Club in Ashford (Middlesex). I will be supporting a charity during my year as President and I have chosen the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.

Why support the Air Ambulance? I have always been impressed by the service that Air Ambulances provide; being there for anyone who needs their services. They have no government funding and rely on donations from the public. The service they provide to those badly injured in getting them to hospital in the “golden hour” critical to casualty survival, cannot be underestimated. I had a very good presentation from them on 20th June and was informed of the latest changes to the organisation, told about some of the lives they have saved, how the organisiation has evolved since I last supported them (they are effectively a flying Accident and Emergency Unit) and also about the new helicopter they will be getting.

Those of you that know me will know that I am a keen road cyclist so it will come as no surprise to learn that I am doing a sponsored cycling event - London to Edinburgh. My cycle challenge starts on 17th September 2016 will take 5 days and cover around 460 miles. The route will take me from London to Leicester (day 1 - 114 miles) to Tadcaster (day 2 - 109 miles), to Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales (day 3 - 62miles), to Langholm just over the Scottish border (day 4 - 101 miles) and then on into Edinburgh on the final day (76 miles). During this ride I will be supported by my wife in a car and friend James Bellingham on a bike.

All money raised during this event will go straight to the Air Ambulance - we are funding the cost of this ride ourselves.

Thanks for taking time to read this.

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