When Phil did this challenge he said it was the hardest event he had ever done. I have wanted to do it for years, and the year where Phil would have turned 40, and I reach this milestone in life feels like a good time to challenge myself in his memory and raise some money!

Completing a stage of the mens Tour de France will be a big undertaking. The stage is 130km long with 4500m of elevation.

For those who didn't know Phil - he was a friend of mine from university. We first met in 2004, as freshers in Birmingham.

Phil lived life to the full and did more in his 31 years than many people do in a lifetime.

Phil was an accomplished sportsman. He ran Manchester Marathon in 3hrs 19 minutes in April 2015; he completed the L'etape du Tour in July 2015, had a golf handicap of 18 and was a regular 5-a-side footballer. He completed the London Triathlon three times.

Phil was well respected within his profession; initially as a Chartered Accountant and then as a Financial Analyst with Ascential plc.

In April 2016 Phil started to experience occasional seizures and at the start of August was diagnosed with a low grade glioma. He died suddenly on 31st December as a result of the tumour.

Phil was a beloved Uncle, Brother and Son, as well as a highly valued friend to many. He will be sorely, sorely missed.

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer… yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. This is unacceptable!

I am fundraising for Brain Tumour Research as they are the only national charity dedicated to funding long-term, sustainable research in the UK. Please help me fund the fight. Together we will find a cure.