Those of you who know me personally will know I've never asked for sponsorship to do any of the numerous crazy bike rides I’ve participated in. I generally consider doing challenges as something solely for my personal fulfillment and gratification. This one is different. I need your help to make a difference. A real difference.

It is a sad fact that every child is born with an equal right to life but not an equal chance, it depends where in the world they are born.

Every year, millions of newborns die from preventable causes. 3.3 million newborns die in the first 4 weeks of life and over a million of these on their first day. Many babies would survive if they were delivered by a trained midwife and cared for by a nurse with experience of newborn care. 

Many more newborn lives can be saved with basic low cost and low-tech interventions, ante natal care, adequate warmth, hygiene, resuscitation, breastfeeding and simple equipment. Some need more advanced care with trained nurses and more complex equipment.

With your support, I am hoping to raise enough money for the training of a specialist nurse for the Da Nang Women’s & Children’s Hospital in Vietnam and the provision of medical equipment for the hospital’s special care baby unit.

I’ll be cycling 850 Miles in 10 days. There are some serious mountains in the way and the ride is going to hurt. The only thing I’ll have to look forward to after 10 grueling days in the roads and mountains is meeting the people I will be supporting at the end of the ride, and seeing how our donations will be making a real difference to the lives of countless newborns.

My company will be matching donations, so dig deep and help me hit my target.