I will be riding from Lands End to John O'Groats with fellow cyclist, Mike Ives, starting on 12th June 2022, approximately 1045 miles unsupported  which means we are carrying all our own kit for the 12 days of riding although we are staying in B&Bs!😁. 

The ride was originally set up by two friends, Tim and Lucy Smith, who decided to ride the full distance on a tandem unsupported and pencilled in for June 2000 in favour of Thomas's Fund, a charity named after one of their son's Thomas. The pandemic hit causing a postponment until 2021 at which point I was going to also join them for the full route, or so we thought, with further lockdowns affecting the ride once again. So fingers crossed 2022 is the year, however due to unforeseen circumstances Tim and Lucy are unable to participate, so we're no longer the Fab Four and now the dynamic duo. We will be joined on several stages by a few fellow club mates which will be very welcome (mainly to keep us out of any headwind).

About Thomas's fund

Thomas’s Fund started in 2007, and became a charity in 2008. We provide music therapy across Northamptonshire (at home, in hospital or as part of continuing care) for children and young people (0-19) with life-limiting illnesses (or life-threatening conditions) and/or a disability which, for medical reasons, means they are too ill to attend school, or an Early Years setting, for extended periods. Pre-school children are assessed on an individual basis. These children are often very isolated and desperately need, or greatly benefit from our support.

Thomas: the inspiration

Thomas Smith died in 2004, aged 10, from a life-limiting neurodegenerative condition. He lived a short life, unable to attend school all year round but, thanks to his family, his life was packed with amazing experiences; activities and fun – a big part of which came through his love of music. Music therapy had a vital role to play in Thomas’s life. Had this charity existed, he would have benefited from being able to have music therapy at home, when he was too ill to attend school. At that time most school support was not available once children were no longer able to get to the school itself. The Fund was set up (and named after him) in order to, address this and provide this crucial service. Many children, like Thomas was, are too ill to travel far beyond their homes, and are unable to attend school or a setting for long periods. These children and young people now have Thomas’s Fund to help them.

Any donations are gratefully received for this worthwhile charity.