On Monday 19th August 2019 I completed a 40km cycle-to-work challenge from Crawley to Lewes, to raise money for the recently-established Jamie’s Farm Lewes.  I'm so pleased to have succeeded in this personal challenge and wish to acknowledged the wonderful generosity of all those who've already contributed. Whilst I have now reached my target, the page will remain open for a bit longer, so if you would like to help me to raise a bit more more money for Jamie's Farm Lewes than I'd originally envisaged I'd be absolutely delighted!

At a time when there’s so much attention on young people being disadvantaged through many forms of exclusion, the preventative residential and follow-up programmes which Jamie’s Farms offer are becoming more and more vital.  As with so many charitable organisations, Jamie’s Farm in Lewes urgently requires help meeting its day-to-day costs, including equipment and items for the visiting young people to use.  As a former school governor at a large Sussex secondary school (often involved in pastoral and community issues), I really respect and admire the compassionate and holistic approach which the ethos of Jamie’s Farms’ epitomises – and its commitment to empowering young people to change course, before it’s too late.

In 2014, I was diagnosed suffering from a dilated cardiomyopathy (a weakness of the heart muscles).  It was a dark place and the thought of getting back on a bike at that time, let alone taking on a sponsored ride, seemed very remote indeed.  My longer term prognosis is uncertain but, thanks to the dedicated support and guidance of medical practitioners and others, I’m embracing a holistic approach to my condition in which exercise plays an important part – and I wanted to take up this personal challenge for the benefit of Jamie’s Farm, Lewes. As well as Jamie’s Farm being local to my job, I am so impressed by the inspiring work delivered by the team of dedicated staff and volunteers, providing much needed support for disadvantaged young people to help them thrive, both academically and socially. Jamie's Farms have the vision to make significant, life-changing differences to the lives of so many disadvantaged young people.  

 Thank you very much for visiting my JustGiving page and for supporting me.