As you’d imagine, after 13 years of austerity, huge cuts to services, the COVID pandemic and now high inflation, high interest rates and the cost of living crisis the need for help and intervention from charities has never been greater and NE Youth, where I am a Trustee, play a huge and integral role in positively impacting the lives of young people in the more impoverished areas of the North East of England.

We do great things, and every penny I raise will be invested in children and young adults across the region.

I wont lie, I walk most of the GNR, and I go through hell doing it, I am a big unit, I have dodgy ankles, knees and hips and I’d much rather be in bed or the pub. But life is about personal challenges, it’s a wonderful day and I will raise a few quid doing it.

This is my 4th year, and I’m aiming for a PB.

New apparel has been ordered, look out for the “Fat lad at the back” cycling jersey and a big lad in Stoke City shorts and wearing sunglasses and headphones.

Due to injuries, I am doing this on my own, which makes it so so so much harder when you don’t have a pal to drag you round and offer encouragement.

Any donations very welcome.

Dave