This year I am taking part in the biggest challenge of my life in memory of my dad.

I am cycling from Pompey to Pamplona

On September 20th I will be leaving Portsmouth on my bike and cycling to through France down to Pamplona in Spain!

Starting September 20th:

Day 1 Caen to Argentan. 80km

Day 2 Argentan to Angers 194km

Day 3 to La Rochelle - 205km

Day 4 to Bordeaux - 198km

Day 5 to Bayonne - 221km

Day 6 to Pamplona over the Pyrenees 115km

My Dad, Tony, was born in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 25th February 1953, in a British military hospital. He was the youngest of four siblings.

Dad was a bit of a hippie at heart and very little in life ever fazed him. Tony did what Tony wanted about 95% of the time, but his love for his three children was what truly grounded him.

He was a huge Spurs fan and would hitchhike to White Hart Lane to watch his hero, Jimmy Greaves. Living locally to Pompey, we went on to watch most home games together after our first match against Gazza’s Spurs in 1991. Football was always what brought us close and kept us together.

Dad’s final years were not the easiest. He suffered several strokes and encephalitis, which led to a long stay in Southampton General Hospital in his early 50s. But it was cancer that finally got him last year. After a month-long stay in hospital in March 2025, we were told he had cancer of the spine, which had spread to his lymph nodes, and that he didn’t have long left. We were encouraged to enjoy his final weeks together.

He passed peacefully at home aged 73 surrounded by family. His last words were a reaction to Pompey conceding a goal — which seemed a fitting way to go.

Much loved, with many happy memories. He was always up for a laugh and never took life too seriously.

Please support this amazing Charity, who do everything they can in our local community.