This year I will be undertaking a 280-mile pedal power adventure with our Herne Hill Whoosh riders following the River Severn from where it rises in the Cambrian Mountains of mid-Wales to Bristol and the sea.

River health and habitat has risen in the public conscience over the years as we have become aware of their importance and fragility.

This is why we would love you to help us support the fantastic river loving charity Thames21

Thames21 works to restore and protect rivers across London and the Thames Basin. They partner with communities to tackle pollution, create wetlands, and reconnect people with their local rivers.

Your support will help:

• Restore neglected rivers and riverbanks

• Remove tonnes of rubbish from London's rivers

• Train volunteers in river monitoring and conservation

• Create nature-based solutions to flooding and climate change

• Inspire communities to protect rivers on their doorstep

£120 establishes one riverfly monitoring point, where trained volunteers monitor invertebrates to track river health and detect pollution over time.

£450 buys an AquaTracker bundle so that volunteers can monitor water quality, detect pollution and collect data to protect and restore our rivers.

£750 buys waders for 20 volunteers to wear in their river restoration work.

£2,000 helps us buy wetland plants to improve water quality and biodiversity, attracting pollinators and reduce flooding.

£2,500 fully kits out a team of 20 volunteers — wellies, waders and gloves — ready to transform a stretch of London river

£2,700 covers a river restoration training course for 20 volunteers.

The Donations

All donations are sent directly to the charity from JustGiving, with no costs deducted, and as usual, the team fund all expenses themselves.

The WHOOSH Team

Jim Belben, Philip Bowdler, Paul Bowser, Simon Brindley, Peter Calderbank, Alice Calvert, Paul Chambers, Charlie Clark, Sarah Corlett, Sophie Corlett, Colin Crooks, Andy Griffiths, Thomas Hanton, Julian Hanton, Angus Hanton, Mark Hughes, Alan Jones, George Kirby, Andrew Makower, Peter McLeod, Richard Mountain, Dave Mudie, Clare Pallett, Emily Parry, Donald Peebles, Annabel Peebles, Sylvia Philip, Eleanor Raper, Jonathan Raper, Anna Stobart, Alex Tidey, Roy Trivedy, Mo-Anna Tucker, Eamonn Wall, Karola Wolprecht, Robert Wright