On Friday 13 (don't, I'm fully aware of the inauspicious nature of the date) and Saturday 14 June members of the Blue Light Cycle Club will be riding from Whitehaven to Tynemouth and then back again. Over 340 miles!

I'm told this is type 2 fun. Why you may ask. Well it's to raise funds to support Care of Police Survivors.

COPS provides peer support opportunities and access to counselling services to help surviving family members (‘survivors’) rebuild their shattered lives.

"Your loss is a part of who you are but COPS helps you realise that it doesn’t define you. We are all one big family."

Since its foundation in 2003, COPS has helped hundreds of police families devastated by the loss of a loved one who died on duty.

If as a team we can raise £4,000 before the ride I'll commit to taking the front berth of a tandem cycle to pilot James from Fenwick's Bikes on the event.

Our friends at Fenwick's Cycles will be part of the event, with Jon driving a support vehicle to provide mechanical support to all.

Those who have had the pleasure of meeting his twin brother, James, will know that he lives with cerebral palsy and right hemiparesis. This doesn't limit James' outlook, and members of the club have had the pleasure of riding with him—well, mostly behind him, as he rides away from the pack.

So please any spare change you have, it will make a huge difference to this charity!