On the 30th August last year my 18 year old nephew, Charlie, was on his way home on his motorbike, when a car, on the wrong side of the road drove into him. He had been riding motorbikes since he was 16, had passed his test, and was a keen motorcyclist. The Air Ambulance response team were quickly on site and took him to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Despite all the efforts of everyone, he tragically died of the injuries from the accident on 4th September.

Since then, we have all been focussed on fundraising for the Air Ambulance, and my friends and family in Dorset have raised £5,868 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, having set ourselves a target for the year of £10,000. As most people know the Air Ambulance teams do an amazing job, without government funding, and rely on charitable support to operate.

I have committed to run 200km during the month of September, meaning I have to average 7km every day to reach that goal. The conversion to miles is 125 for the month, and over 4 miles every day – rain or shine! This distance of 200km is almost exactly the distance as from our home to the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Some of you will know that I do run 100km every month (just about!), but this will be a big challenge for me.

Charlie had his life ahead of him. He had just had his A level results, and had been on a trip to Newquay with his friends to celebrate. He was about to have a year off to save money to go study at Plymouth university. He loved skateboarding, cricket and music – and he was a keen drummer and guitarist. His friends made a playlist for him when he was in hospital of his favourite music, and I’ll be listing to that as I run the 200km.

So,

• Whether you sponsor me £5 or £50, I don’t mind, I will thank you - please, sponsor me.

• Perhaps I’ve sponsored you at some time, or maybe I’ve done something to help you - please, sponsor me.

• Maybe we worked together and you might have popped some money into a leaving collection for me, but couldn’t as you didn’t know I was "disappearing" - please, sponsor me.

• It could be that you don’t even know me, but you are reading this, and it’s touched you – please, sponsor me.

I’ve lost a nephew - for my children they have lost a cousin. Can you imagine what it is like to lose a son, grandson or a brother? We have been raising this money to help support us all in our grief, and to ensure that Charlie’s name and memory live on. Please help us with this. Thank you.

“Breathe out, so I can breathe you in”.