As I love cycling and a challenge, I decided to sign up for the incredible 3 day EY London to Amsterdam Cycle Challenge to raise vital funds for Action for Children and am also helping to organise it! 400 km / 250 miles, 2 countries and hours in the saddle, with plenty of hills in the UK and windmills in the Netherlands en route.

It'll definitely be a challenge, as well as memorable adventure, starting from the EY More London office, escaping the confines of London before weaving through the Essex and Suffolk countryside to Harwich for the overnight ferry, before arriving in the Hook of Holland. Day 2 is our longest day of cycling, heading out of the Hook of Holland Ferry port and along the coast, then inland before we eventually stop at the world heritage site at Kinderdijk. After a break, we'll head to Utrecht where we'll stay, before tackling the final day into Amsterdam.

DAY 1 - London to Harwich (& Hook of Holland) | 129 kms (80 miles) | 762m elevation

DAY 2 - Hook of Holland to Utrecht | 161 kms (100 miles) | 292m elevation

DAY 3 - Utrecht to Amsterdam | 108 kms (67 miles) | 124m elevation. By this time, I'll have seen enough windmills to last a lifetime!

Ahead of the ride I'll be putting in plenty of training to make this a ride to enjoy, be challenged by and celebrate for a long time after….all while raising money for the fantastic charity Action for Children.

Childhood is a precious time, and we have the power to make a difference. Action for Children is dedicated to ensuring that every child has a safe and loving home and the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. The need for their work is growing, and you can help by donating to my campaign to help as many vulnerable children, young people and their families as possible.

Reaching my £2,200 target could mean:

• Breakfast, lunch, snacks and hot dinner for 55 children for a week.

• Warm winter clothes for 55 children to see them through the Winter.

• Paying the energy costs for 48 family homes for a week.

• Providing 44 emergency food packages for a family in crisis.

• Paying for food and store cupboard essentials for 22 young people moving out of care into independent living.

• Could fund the entire Parent Talk service for over a week.

• Could contribute to upgrading 4 sensory and play areas in our services for disabled children and young people, helping them thrive in a safe an stimulating space.

• Could provide 8 immediate grants to support children and young people living in poverty, who are struggling with an unexpected expense or additional pressures such as domestic violence, disability or poor health

Find out more about the difference your donation will make https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/our-impact/

Thank you for your generosity, it'll make a real difference and be a huge motivation on the ride!

Tom