Hi - my name is Richard and my wife Sue works on the General Intensive Care Unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. The staff there do an incredible job day and night to support, look after and save the life's of hundreds of people throughout Essex. They can look after patients for days, weeks or even months.

We all know how important outside space is to us and this is also true for patients recovering from critical illness. My son and I are completing this cycling challenge to raise money for the ITU Garden project - essentially a safe and private haven where patients can go with staff on oxygen, with all the equipment they need and even a ventilator. They can be accompanied by family and friends and even their pets. This will be invaluable to their recovery and wellbeing to experience what we take so readily for granted.

The project will take place in stages with ICU's dream to create an inside/outside space to use the garden all year round.

The challenge Nick and I will be undertaking is the Land's End to John O'Groats Cycle Ride. This long distance endurance event is approx 1100 hilly miles over 13 days. Funds raised will be directed under Mid and South Essex hospitals charity to ITU.

PLEASE PLEASE donate as much as you can to help this project.Thank you for supporting Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity. Your support and donations will make a valuable difference to the lives of patients and staff at our hospitals. We are proud to support the work of Southend, Basildon and Broomfield Hospitals, helping enhance the service above and beyond what the NHS alone can provide. If you have informed us of your wish to support a specific ward or department we will strive to honour your wishes (this does not constitute a legal trust).Thank you for your support.