I've got a very personal and heartfelt reason for this particular charity fundraising endeavour. Over 13 years my business partner Ann and I raised more than £12 million for UK charities through our challenge event company Action for Charity. We set up an amazing and very successful event called Women V Cancer. More than 500 women signed up for the first event in Kenya 18 months ago. Little did I know how important the work of one of those charities was to become in my life. 

Last October I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I've now had my surgery, four months of chemotherapy and on 7July I finished five weeks of daily radiotherapy treatment. The information and help I have had already from Breast Cancer Care has been wonderful. I am so grateful they exist. I also know firsthand why the work and research of the other two Women V Cancer charities, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, is so vital. So now I am personally fundraising to support their fantastic work.

I am now starting training for a 400kms cycle ride across Cuba in October 2013 with my wonderful daughter Ellen. Eldest daughter Zoe, equally wonderful, was going to join us but she is expecting my first grandchild on 7th October and pulled out!  My tour costs for taking part are very generously being paid by Action for Charity so every single penny of the money I raise goes to the charities. The girls have got some fab fundraising ideas and will be holding events, car boot sales and fundraising evenings (as well as doing lots of cycling training when weather and health permits!)  Any donation you are able to make personally would be a marvellous boost to our fundraising efforts.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe – 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.

Please help me to help the Women V Cancer charities in whatever way you can.

Gay x