In February, my dear friend Chris Shackle asked me if I would join a team of friends to cycle from London to Amsterdam to raise money for Marie Curie, in honour and memory of his partner Caro, who sadly passed away in 2024 after an incredibly brave fight against cervical cancer. Knowing Caro had cycled from London to Paris while living with stage 4 cancer, raising money for women’s cancer charities, how could I refuse?

At 540km, over 4 days, this ride will be way further than anything I have attempted on a bike and the fundraising target way more that I have ever raised before. But inspired by Caro, and in support of Chris, I have decided to take this challenge on!

Marie Curie is here for anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from, and those close to them. Whatever the illness, wherever you are, we’re with you to the end. We bring 75 years of experience and leading research to the care we give you at home, in our hospices and over the phone. And we push for a better end of life for all by campaigning and sharing research to change the system.

Marie Curie is a charity working across the UK and we need your support to do our vital work.