On 7th-15th September 2019 I will be cycling 980 miles over 9 days from Lands End to John O’ Groats as part of the Deloitte Ride Across Britain. 

Whilst this ride has been on my bucket list for many years I also want to try and raise funds for my chosen charity. 

I have been moved by the incredible work the doctors, Nurses and all the staff do, every day; life-saving, life-enabling, and often highly specialist to give the young people they treat  the best chance in life possible. 

More recently, since becoming a Dad myself, I have become more aware of how lucky I am; to have a healthy son, who has never needed to go to hospital in his 9 and a half years.  I cannot begin to imagine, as a parent, how you deal with the anguish that surrounds any hospital stay, or diagnosis that confirms your worst fears. It is something that I hope I will never have to face, but which so many parents do. 

It's not just the medical marvels that I'm amazed by, but also the wrap around care for the families of those in hospital.  To know you are supported, to be looked after yourself, as you try and hold it together for your child (and others in the family), to have a bed to sleep in that means you don’t have to find and pay for a hotel indefinitely, to have someone make you a cup of tea; it can be the small gestures that mean so much, and for which the many parents who stay at the family site on Sandwich Street, are so very grateful for.

In preparation for the ride, I’ll also be undertaking the following-

• Derby South Sportive - April, 100 miles
• Birmingham Velo - May, 100 miles
• Etape Caledonia - May, 85 miles
• Barrow to Whitby - June, 180 miles - 3 days
• Derby- Skegness/ Skegness -Derby- July 196 miles- 2 days
• As well as, as many Turbo Trainer miles and weekend road miles as I can possibly fit in!

This ride will be the most physically gruelling challenge I have ever attempted. The threshold motto of “more is in you” will be playing over and over in my mind.  They’ll be times when I’ll want to stop, the pain will be very real but the highs will out way the lows; they’ll also be victories, laughter, encouragement and camaraderie between me and my friends; Phil, and Paul, and I’m sure new friendships built along the way.

If you can spare a few pounds to help the 619 children and families that visit Great Ormond Street Hospital every day, it will be very much appreciated.

For more information about where your money will go, and how it will help, visit www.gosh.org

Thanks me ducks,

Matt 

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