I am riding the Big Mountain Challenge for Thames Hospice. Whilst my four days of cycling will test me to my limits, I know what a difference the money will make to those patients and families who are facing the most difficult of challenges.

Read more below to see how you can help push me to an even greater challenge to join an exclusive but "crazy" club...

Thames Hospice are here to ensure that patients and their families are cared for with the utmost compassion, dignity and respect. Funds raised from this challenge will ensure that Thames Hospice can continue to provide care to those in the local community.

They cannot do this without our help, so please dig deep and sponsor me as much as you can.

Thank you for considering sponsoring my Big Mountain Challenge 2026!

Those who know me will know that cycling up mountains is my definition of a fun day out! But this is something more- a very special cause and potentially the biggest physical challenge I have ever set myself. And this year, I am giving YOU the opportunity to challenge ME to become part of the crazy cycling elite... more info on this below!

But first, and most importantly, I will be part of an awe-inspiring team of cyclists of all levels, raising funds for Thames Hospital, a palliative care hospice in Berkshire. I am covering all costs of the trip as well as a substantial contribution to the charity, so anything you give goes directly to the charity and the community it serves.

The back story

Two years ago, I cycled 19,340 feet of climbing over 200 miles in 3.5 days in the French Alps- the equivalent of Mt Kilimanjaro- to raise money for this amazing cause. It was the hardest thing I have ever done physically and mentally, but I made some wonderful friends and became a passionate supporter of Thames Hospice along the way.

This year I am aiming to repeat the challenge of ascending the equivalent of Kilimanjaro by bike, but including an ascent of the legendary Mt Ventoux, one of the most famous and treacherous cycling climbs. There are three ways of climbing the mountain by bike, all brutal, steep, barren and windy (it's not called Ventoux for nothing!). The plan is to ascend the classic Bedoin route as part of the challenge.

But that's not all- if you help me raise over £1000, I pledge to attempt (and I mean, attempt!) the ascent three times in one day and join a crazy but elite cycling club, les Cinglés du Mont Ventoux, by covering roughly 137 km and 4,400 meters of vertical gain, taking me well above and beyond the target elevation and distance (even if I don't succeed with all 3!).

Why?

In addition to the significant personal challenge this presents, we are riding to raise funds for a fantastic palliative care hospice by Bray lake near Windsor. The hospice provides much needed inpatient facilities, extensive day therapy and outpatient facilities, as well as a large hospice at home care team and education centre for other care organisations. Quality of care is exceptional and demand is huge, and all costs are met through private supporters and fundraising.

Thank you for any support you can offer! And if you'd like to join us, please go to www.bigmountainchallenge.com. Help us climb our mountains so Thames Hospice patients can climb theirs.