Thank you for reading this! 

On 7th October 2019, after a summer when I was hospitalised with Sepsis and was subject to various investigations, I underwent a risky operation to remove a thymoma - a tumour the size of my fist between my heart and left lung. Thanks to the skill and care of the doctors and nurses, the prayers of so many, I came through the operation (albeit with one lung partially disabled due to unavoidable damage to my left phrenic nerve) and six weeks later, the tumour was declared to be benign! Praise God.

I have been incredibly blessed to get through all of this and so I wanted to use this new lease of life and health to expand the mission of Youth 2000, an amazing organisation which is changing the lives of so many young people (irrespective of their ability to pay) and raising them up to be leaders in society and much needed witnesses of God's love in today's world.

This is the reason, 2 years and 9 days after my operation I am doing this Ironman 70.3 in Mallorca.

We are also very excited to tell you that we have a match funding donor so any amount you give including GiftAid will be doubled. This will enable us to continue employing our wonderful staff team who through their dedicated devotion and hard work support, care for, train and release our mission team and small army of volunteers to serve the young people of this country and bring them the joy of the Gospel.

If you would like to give, ideally we would love it if you sign up for a regular monthly donation. As long as you keep up your donations for a year, your annualised amount will then be doubled by our generous match fund donor. However, if you prefer you can give a one-off donation. Any help is appreciated so much and makes a huge difference!

Please do tick the box allowing us to stay in touch with you and let you know how I did and the difference your donation is making!

Finally, you will see on the thumbnail above and on the post below,, a picture of me and my very good friend Paul Moore (aka the HBOS whistleblower) on a leisurely break during an early cycling trip post operation on the Bransdale loop. Paul was an extraordinary man of faith and has played an incredible part in my life, offering me untold support and love. He was always cheering me on. 

When I was fat(ter!) and 40 I met Paul and he got me into running and then latterly he rehabilitated me post op when all my other friends were far too fast and wouldn't wait for me. For him, cycling was all about the journey and the conversation. He died very suddenly on 28 September last year at the age 61, a huge loss to us all and particularly his wonderful  wife Maureen and children, Emily, Daniel and Oliver. I am dedicating this to him, may he rest in peace. 

This one is for you Paul! Faith, Family, Friends and Fun (and cycling of course!).

God bless you

Robert

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