Here’s a note from my daughter Milly which explains why Great Ormond Street Hospital is my chosen charity for this event.

Hi Everyone, 

This is Milly (Phil’s daughter) and my Dad is cycling the Ride London 100 for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (GOSH) this year. GOSH is special to us, because I have a genetic disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) – in other words, brittle bones. My bones break really easily so I have to be really careful when I’m doing sports and activities because I’m prone to fractures – I’ve lost count of the precise number, but I’ve broken over 25 bones in my life, and I’ve only just turned thirteen! So I visit GOSH regularly for routine check-ups and bone density scans which is why my Dad chose this worthy cause to raise money for. GOSH has helped me all through my life – and I know my condition is improving with the treatment they’ve given me (right now, as I write this, I am actually receiving the medicine through a drip at my local hospital – I have this every three months), so hopefully with the money my Dad can raise, we can help other children get the treatment they need too. A couple of years ago when I was in Year Six, my Dad cycled from London all the way to Paris – so you can trust me on this one that he is an active cyclist and I have no doubt that he’ll finish this race in a good time! So I hope that you can spare a few pounds to sponsor my Dad in aid of this charity and help other children to receive the expert medical care they need. Thanks!

Milly :-)

As you can see, for more than 12 years we’ve have first-hand experience of the amazing work delivered by the staff at GOSH.  We are lucky that Milly’s condition requires her to visit GOSH only periodically.  There are many children who are more dependent on GOSH for their treatment and with far more serious conditions.  They not only provide pioneering treatment for children but much needed support for their parents too.

GOSH is a wonderful place which costs around £50m a year to run. My attempt to raise money is a drop in the ocean, but every little helps!  

So I will be spending the next few weeks trying to get fit enough to cycle 100 miles in a day along the 2012 Olympic cycle route.  This will take me around London’s famous landmarks and some of Surrey’s most challenging hills!  

If you can donate anything then I can assure you it will go some way to helping a child and their family when they need all the help and support they can. 

Phil 