Having heard that my friends' Zara and Simon's son was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in late 2012 was terrible and I was devasted when Rory lost his battle in May of this year at only 3. I know what my family went through when my niece, Gabriella, died aged 5 of this same childhood cancer. It's a horrible disease and the Neuroblastoma Society has been a charity close to my heart raising money for research and offering support to familiies affected.

I wanted to challenge myself to raise money this year and I am attempting two of the toughest mountain bike events in the calendar only a week apart. So far I've put in 350 hours of training (and lost a stone and a half) in preparation but it's still going to be unbelievably hard. However I know it's nothing compared to what these children have to go through which is what keeps me going.

The Grand Raid is on 24th August from Nandes to Grimentz with 4000m of climbing including a 3km scree slope which you have to scramble up carrying your bike. A week later, I'll be doing the Ruthin Mountain Bike Marathon which is another 100km with 3000m of climbing in North Wales.

I hope you will generous in your sponsorship for this great cause. It will mean alot to me and to the families supported by the Neuroblastoma Society.