A few weeks ago one of my favourite people should've celebrated his 55th birthday. That Geoff didn't is down to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. I knew him for longer than I didn't: amongst other things, it's Geoff's fault that I'm a Crystal Palace fan!

On Saturday 24th August I'll be getting back on the bike to cycle most of the coastline of Ireland, solo and unsupported. This is a *very* lumpy 1300 miles: a small matter of 65,000 feet of heavy climbing on questionable surfaces, into inevitable headwinds and no doubt a fair share of rain. The route takes me to the most easterly, southerly, westerly and northerly points of the island.

To complete this in 13 days is a big ask, but it's got to be something big in order to ask for sponsorship, right? You were all so generous in donating to last year's challenge: Cure Leukaemia were really grateful and appreciative. Your money really made a difference.

Why try to fundraise for the same charity again? Three reasons, really...

Last September I met the founder of Cure Leukaemia, Professor Charlie Craddock and some of his team and was amazed by how dedicated and determined they truly are.

Secondly, I was at the Royal Albert Hall for a couple of Teenage Cancer Trust shows in March, and hearing the extraordinary stories of people in remission stuck with me.

Finally, I recently saw a photo of Geoff holding his son Alfie and even though I was in two minds about trying another challenge because I loathe the fundraising aspect so much, I loathe what happened to Geoff a damn sight more so it's really no decision, is it?

He was funny, smart, daft, full of energy and it's hard to believe that he's not around anymore. Geoff was a fantastic dad to Emily, Olivia and Alfie, and a wonderful husband to Nat. I know he’ll always be loved and missed and very fondly remembered by them, and also his mum Pauline, dad Robin, siblings Matt and Laura, and his many friends. We wish he was still here.

Every fourteen minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with some form of blood cancer. Until his dying day, Geoff was working hard with Cure Leukaemia so that no one else would have to go through what he had gone through.

Nat recalls, "I remember ironing him a shirt for an online meeting that he held with Cure Leukaemia’s board in the weeks leading up to his death. For two hours he spoke with them. He asked questions, gave tips and ultimately inspired them. ‘Aim high’, were his parting words to that board. They were completely bowled over."

Cure Leukaemia helps blood cancer patients to access pioneering drug and transplant treatments by funding a network of specialist research nurses across the UK, in places like Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, Cardiff, London, Southampton, Bristol and of course their HQ based at the Centre for Clinical Haematology in Birmingham.

Without these nurses to ensure patients are monitored and cared for, the clinical trials of these new treatments would not run, and patients that have exhausted standard treatment options would miss out on potentially lifesaving therapies.

The target is a mighty £5000. If we reach that amount, I’ll add £1000. In Geoff’s words, “Aim high”!

Thank you and all the best,

Simon.

ps there'll be a daily blog during the ride at https://tdi24.blogspot.com