Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Samaritans is an organisation close to my heart as I am a Listening Volunteer with them. Every shift I am reminded of the extraordinary things that can occur when ordinary people listen actively and empathically to everyone who calls no matter who they are or what life has done to them.

This challenge is done in memory of another Samaritans Listening volunteer, Jo, who sadly passed away last year. She was an amazing lady, with a warm and welcoming smile both before and after shifts, a forever friendly ear, and kept giving no matter what life took away from her.

About my challenge...

After having major reconstructive surgery on my ankle and fearing I might never be able to walk again, I started cycling to help a neighbour who had to pause delivering newspapers around our village to intensify his care for his mentally ill wife. This paper round I took over for two months was around 11km long, and had several inclines which felt like mountains whilst lugging two bags bursting with newspapers and their supplements up them.

Upon finishing these early morning autumnal cycle rides, to continue cycling I knew I needed a new incentive, a goal to focus on, something that was realistic yet would also stretch me. Whilst in this frame of mind, I discovered Cycling Weekly's 5000 Miles in a Year Challenge, where you get to wear kit made for the occasion along with the chance of earning a finisher's medal. Before I could change my mind, I signed up to this challenge.

Cycling 5000 miles in a year is further than I have driven my car every year for the last 12 years 😱. I do not own an indoor trainer, either, so every one of these miles will be cycled outside, at the whims of our Great British weather!