Hi there, I’m asking for your support for Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland County Air Ambulance as I undertake a huge personal challenge, cycling 3,815 miles right across the USA from Astoria on the Pacific coast to Portland, Maine and climbing 154,000 ft. over 42 days.

This ride has long been an ambition of mine but, since losing my dear friend Tony earlier this year, I really want to use it as an opportunity to raise much needed cash for a charity which is very dear to his family. We all know about the amazing work that the Air Ambulance does, but I was staggered to learn that it operates entirely without any government funding. All of their good work is funded entirely by donations and each airborne mission costs an average £1,700. Your donation, no matter how small, will make a huge difference to someone at a time of extreme need.

Having trained hard on UK roads and lanes I started my challenge on the Pacific coast on 20 August and now, almost 7 weeks later, I'm looking forward to dipping my wheels in the Atlantic some time on Wednesday.

I have been posting daily video updates on my Facebook page and if you want to watch just copy and paste this link to your browser https://www.facebook.com/aridefortonyacrossamerica/ (I should warn you that it may not be pretty viewing; you might want to ensure that young children and animals are out of the room before you click!). 

It has been a fantastic experience but it's a long time to be away from home as well as a huge physical challenge; I've really valued all the supportive messages and encouragement I've had. Thank you.

I walked into the hotel after Sunday's 104 mile stage to find my eldest, Tom, and Tony's eldest, Josh, had made a surprise visit to lend encouragement for the last few stages. Wonderful surprise, completely unexpected. A shockah!!    

I'm also looking forward to meeting up with Helen, Christine, Louise and Fiona in North Conway later today, before tomorrow's final stage. The whole reason for embarking on this challenge was to raise funds for the Air Ambulance in memory of Tony. It means so much to be able to share the end of this experience with members of my family and Tony's and with other dear friends. 

I am staggered by the generous response I've had from so many people. The fantastic support I had in the early days encouraged me to double my original fundraising target to £20,000 but I didn't expect to get close to that. Your support has been phenomenal and, between us, we have almost made it. I cannot thank you enough for all your generosity. 

If you were thinking of making a donation but haven't got round to it yet, can I make one last plea that you give what you can for this amazing charity, in memory of a truly wonderful person who was taken from us so suddenly? We are really close. It would be amazing to make that target for the Air Ambulance.

Thanks so much for all the support.

Mark