Like most people, I've been aware of the air ambulance for a long time, but it wasn't until the last 6 months when a friend from our cycling club was air lifted to hospital after a hit and run driver knocked him off, and then another friend also had the air ambulance called for him, that I learnt that the air ambulances are all funded by donations.

I've always wanted to cycle the length of the UK and having decided to do it with a couple of work colleagues - Kane Bates and Ray Hoare - it seemed the ideal opportunity to raise money for a great local cause.

There are lots of organised trips from Lands End to John O'Groats, but that seemed too easy, so we will be doing this trip unsupported, and just to make sure we top the 1000 mile mark, we will be visiting the southern most tip of the mainland UK (Lizard Point) and the northern most tip (Dunnet Head) along the way.

I don't like asking for money, but I hope you can find it in yourself to make a donation and keep the ambulances in the air.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.