As a very unfit, overweight 42 yr old. I have taken on a challenge to cycle from Paris to Isle de Re in France circa 500 km over 4 days from the 11th May.

As it happens I had hoped this silly venture would have helped me lose masses of weight and become the strapping 20 year old I once was but I still find myself lumbering uphill at 8 kmph with no discernable weight loss at all. So you can delight in my undeniable oncoming pain. 

Now whilst its all about me as usual, I would also love to try to raise some money for a very special girl XANTHE CARTER daughter to my oldest friends. 

Xanthe is now 9 years old, but when she was just 9 months old she contracted pneumococcal meningitis and suffered a major stroke as a result of it. She was critically ill and spent 3 weeks in intensive care on a life support machine. The upshot of this is that Xanthe is now hemiplegic, severely epileptic and can't talk . But its not all doom and gloom, Xanthe has a lovely smile and cracking laugh. She communicates really well and is an utter credit to her and her parents fighting qualities. I can't speak highly enough of the strength this wonderful family has to keep going bringing positivity to all of us fortunate to know them. 

I hope you have time to watch this clip as this illustrates pefectly what my basic GCSE english can't.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bTmGXDQEGm0

As it stands Xanthe is learning basic motor neuro skills such as walking and communicating by using sign language, and an Ipad App especially developed for children like her; but to maintain progress in this she needs as much 1:1 teaching and therapy as possible. And that requires funding folks. 

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you very much / Ed x