Every now and then, I sign Harriet Lea up to an event and back out at the last minute - but not this year! I am determined to cycle from London to Brighton (54 miles so no big deal really) on Sunday 17 Sep 2017. My chosen charity is MNDA.

You would not wish Motor Neurone Disease on your worst enemy - it's that Stephen Hawking thing; but imagine for a moment how bad it would be if you didn't do physics in your head for fun and your favourite pastime was football and you couldn't even stroke your daughter's hair.

All contributions are welcome - and note that if you donate here the government will add an additional 25% (gift aid).

Here's why we are cycling for MNDA...

1) My daughter-in-law's brother, Andrew Culliford, was diagnosed with MND in 2011. Andrew was a firefighter at the time and also a semi-professional footballer - i.e. very active.

MND is pernicious. For Andrew it began with difficultly shaking hands with a referee at the end of a soccer match and it progressed - well, progressively.

Over the years, I have watched Andrew lose the use of all his limbs, the ability to speak and the ability to cough (think about that).

He has a daughter but he cannot even stroke her hair.

Last time I saw Andrew was at the Epsom derby. He has a really good specialised vehicle (with a hoist) and some lovely carers and a great family. I hadn't seen Andrew for a few months and I communicated with him (face to face) for the first time using his new device. It tracks his eye movements (all he has left) and "speaks" for him. Andrew picked a few horses and I (and others) placed the bets for him. He won some and he lost some.

His brain is totally sound (though he's a bit pissed off, I am sure) but he can't do anything (physically) for himself.

I know I can't actually do anything for Andrew but if my London to Brighton ride contributes in any small way to finding a cure for this disease (or mitigating its impact) it will be worth it.

2) My work colleague and friend, Simon Binner, (Gould Computer Systems - late 1980s) was diagnosed with MND in January 2015. He ended his life in Switzerland in October of that year; you may have seen the documentary (or print / web news) about this - which I have to say was "typical Binner". Google it.

I can't do anything for Simon either, other than ask you to make a donation.