Dear Friends,

In 2004 my life changed forever when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, a week before my 18th birthday. On Easter Sunday, March 31st, my darling Mother passed away peacefully in Farleigh Hospice, with her two favourite men by her side.

In the last nine years since Mum was first diagnosed with breast cancer she did everything that she wanted to, It’s not short of incredible when you think about it. A lot people will never do half of the things that she did in the last nine years of her life. Traveling across the world, completing the Tour of Flanders 6 weeks after finishing a round of chemo therapy sessions, riding elephants in Thailand, going to the deepest corners of Alaska, and most recently hurtling herself off the side of a French mountains attached to what can only be describe as a large kite whilst sitting in a bucket. 

Mum proved that no matter what, no matter who you are  or what you do, you can do anything you want to do. Put your mind to it, and you will achieve.

If you asked me what happened on that evening, I would struggle to tell you, but the one thing that I do know, is that I had the support there that I needed.

In August I will be taking part in the Ride London sportive. 100 miles of the London 2012 cycling road race course starting at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, making its way into Surrey and finishing on The Mall. I ride my bike not for charity but for my love of the ride, but this is different, and the only time it will be. My target is to raise £750 for Help the Hospices. 

Think of it this way, you won’t be sponsoring me; you’ll be sponsoring the millions of people who are affected by this cruel illness. I’m doing this ride for my mother, for your mother, and every person out there who has been affected by cancer and other terminal illnesses. I would be lost without the help, care and support of my local hospice and the people that work there. I am now an ambassador for Farleigh Hospice, my local hospice, and have seen both sides of the coin of how much good they do for patients and family members. A hospice is not a place where people go to die; it is a place where hope lives in everyone. For those who are patients, and those family members who require support during and after a patient’s illness, a hospice is a haven, and I cannot tell you enough how important they can be. I’m asking for £1; that is all. If you can spare it, or would like to donate more then I will be eternally grateful.

Help give others a chance in life and help me fight this fight. 

Joe x