You may have seen that I was going to be doing a mud run to raise some money for this fantastic charity but unfortunately Covid-19 has got in the way once again and it's been postponed... but... I'm not giving up and instead I'm doing something far more challenging with much less training...

I am cycling the 78 miles from my home in Stratford-upon-Avon to the Bristol Royal Children's Hospital in one day. That is one mile for each blood transfusion Rory had while he was treated at the hospital. I hope that not only will I be able to raise a few pounds to help find better treatments for children with cancer I will inspire a few people to give blood which is a really easy way to change, or save, a life.

It was heart breaking when an old friend of mine posted on Facebook that her baby boy needed an operation, and then treatment, for a brain tumor at the end of last year. Though I had never met him I had seen photos of a happy, cuddly, baby Rory sharing beautiful moments with Amy and Matt. Rory had a medulloblastoma and despite Rory, Amy and Matt fighting with amazing bravery, grace, and love Rory lost his life on the 11th January to veno-occlusive disease, a side-effect of his treatment.

Rory needed 78 blood products during his treatment - at his family's best count, it may even be more. This was mainly whole blood and platelets, but also plasma and cryoprecipitate. Chemotherapy affected his bone marrow which meant that he was not able to make the blood cells he needed when he needed them most and these transfusions made Rory feel better almost as soon as he had them.

I wanted to do something for Amy, Matt and Rory but I couldn't find the words to write or think of anything helpful to send; doing this ride and raising a little bit of money to help families like theirs is the smallest thing I can do and I hope you are able to spare what you can for this fantastic charity.

Team Rory raises funds for three charities which do amazing work with, and for, children with cancers like Rory, and their families. I have chosen to fund raise for CCLG (Childhood Cancer and Lukemia Group) who have a special fund in Rory's name specifically for research into medulloblastoma. They are looking for new, kinder treatments that could make the ultimate difference to families like Rory's. Visit www.cclg.org.uk/ to find out more about their work.

Amy has written a beautiful and brave blog all about Rory's treatment, the amazing work of the NHS and charities, and grief which I implore you read: https://www.teamrory.co.uk/

You will also find links there to donate to the two other charities Team Rory supports: CLIC Sergeant and The Grand Appeal if you would prefer to support them. All charities are working extra hard in these difficult times whilst losing a lot of the fundraising events that normally support them so any donation you are able to make makes a huge difference!