Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, for those of you who know me more personally, you will know and understand my motivation...but for everyone else let me explain.

About 8 years ago, my father sadly died following a heart attack. This was after being given a clean bill of health from the Dr not a week before. Not only was this a shock to everyone around, but also left us with a need to do something....

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) are working hard to reduce the number of deaths in the UK caused by heart attacks as Heart and circulatory disease is the UK's biggest killer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death in the UK. It is responsible for 38% of all deaths.The BHF are working hard to develop medical practices to not only reduce the after effects of heart attack, but also working on pre-treatments as “prevention is better than a cure”

Given the sedate nature of my work, a relaxed lifestyle etc etc, a few pounds have piled on over the years and a good friend had a bit of a health scare recently which has prompted a bit of a health kick. Given that cycling is a good way to get fit, which will help lose a couple of pounds, but also the London to Brighton ride (54 long hard miles I might add) will help me raise a few pounds (£) for the BHF to hopefully stop others from losing parents or other loved ones.

Having not really ridden a bike since I was a teenager and being rather unfit at the same time, this to me personally is quite a challenge. It is for this reason I am looking for support both morally and financially in terms of donations. I am sure you will understand that I will be more motivated the more you guys donate towards this very needed charity.

Please, think of your parents or other close members of your family and consider what life would be like without them, I know I think of my father still almost every day! And next think how giving just a few pounds to go towards possibly finding a prevention to heart attacks and how one day this could lead to you not having the same heart ache me and my family have....so please, dig deep!

Many, many thanks for your support and encouragement,

Barry.

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.