Karen and I are both delighted to be taking on this challenge of cycling London to Brighton in September - a staggering 55 miles starting at Clapham common, taking in the South Downs and finishing on the seafront.

We both have very personal reasons for taking on this challenge.

For me, when this challenge was suggested to me, it would have been my Dad’s 70th birthday, having been a keen cyclist himself I thought it would be a fitting tribute and an occasion to mark his birthday.

I know this is personally going to be a challenge, but it is nothing compared to what my dad went through in the last 6 weeks of his life. This is definitely one for him, and he will be in my thoughts the whole way.

For Karen her motivation comes from the patients attending Living Well services; "when I reflect on the much bigger challenges our patients face, this motivated me to sign up. Within the Living Well service we provide rehabilitative palliative care which focuses on helping patients maintain independence and enhance quality of life, giving confidence to live actively and well with their conditions. Static bikes are a favourite part of our Living Well exercise classes so I will be thinking about our patients using them and the challenges they have, to help me on my way.”

Isabel Hospice provides palliative support to the 370,000 people who live in eastern Hertfordshire.

Hospice care is about helping people to live well for as long as possible and have a good death in the place of their choice when the time comes. Without your help, we could not make this possible for our patients and their families. Each year we care for approx 2,000 people but we know there are even more people that need our help.