The greatest health fear amongst the over 50s is now dementia and given that by 2025 it is anticipated that there will be around 1 million sufferers in the UK alone, it's easy to understand why. All of us know, or have known, a friend, family member or work colleague affected by this cruel disease.

I reckon I've been fairly generous over the years when it comes to charity but, since the age of 15, that has really only involved me in opening my wallet. The last time I got off my backside and did something involving any real effort was in 1973 when I and a pal decided it would be a great idea to drink 5 gallons of coffee each(Maxwell House fully caffeinated I recall!) to raise money for the RSPCA. It worked, we raised over £300 but I didn't sleep too well that night and I avoided coffee for a while! With this in mind, I thought it about time I got off my backside, did something not quite as crazy and asked my friends for a few quid for a good cause.

So, in July 2018, I and a few mates will cycle from London to Paris to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society and I have set myself a personal target of over £1500. The trip, if you can call it that, is to cycle 80 miles a day over 4 days. Apart from, I imagine, some degree of discomfort and risk, the challenge is not without personal financial cost in that I have started the fundraising ball rolling with £100 of my own.

Any contribution from others will be gratefully received but as you can see I have set a reasonably challenging goal that I wish to exceed so please give generously and dig deep. As I said, I have not asked for sponsorship for many years, this is a good cause that affects us all and I need every bit of motivation to get on the bike!

Ray