In June 2018, Dr David O'Brien, his team and all the wonderful staff of the Richmond Neurosurgical ward at Beaumont Hospital, looked after me so very well in my treatment and recovery following the removal of a brain tumour.

So I'd like to give something back.

The Family Room on the Neurosurgical Ward should be a tranquil, quiet and comforting space for all the mums and dads, husbands and wives, sons and daughters who find themselves on the ward in difficult circumstances. With your help, I would like to make it so.

To earn your support I will cycle, on St Patrick’s Day, March 17th, the longest continuous road climb in Europe . The road rises without a single flat or downhill segment, from sea level to 7,200 feet as it climbs Mount Teide, an active volcano on the island of Tenerife.

It's a long, slow, tough climb and is equally a test of mental resilience as physical endurance. The parallels with the journey that I have been on, make this a fitting challenge.