Hi everyone,

We're taking on an exciting challenge to support a cause close to our hearts, and we need your help to make a difference.

I'm Robert McClements, and together with my cycling buddy of over 25 years, Mark Richardson, we're embarking on a special journey. We'll cycle from Verona, Italy, to the shores of Lake Garda and then take a scenic and challenging route to Venice - 450 km in all. This isn't just any bike ride; it's a fundraiser for the Addison's Disease Self-Help Group (ADSHG), which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Since 2020, I've had the privilege of serving as a trustee of ADSHG, a charity that supports those affected by Addison's disease in the UK and Ireland.

My motivation for this cause is deeply personal. My daughter, Victoria, is an Addison’s disease patient. This rare and often overlooked condition can be difficult to diagnose, even among medical professionals. Victoria's diagnosis came late, leading to a significant health crisis during her teenage years. While the disease is incurable, effective treatments exist. Despite the fatigue that comes with Addison’s disease, Victoria has never let it hold her back. She has pursued her passion for performing arts and has established a successful business.

One of the challenges for Addison’s disease patients is the risk of adrenal crisis, which means they must carry an emergency injection kit everywhere. Currently, using this kit is awkward and requires practice in mixing medications. As a trustee, I've enjoyed steering our charity to support ventures aimed at developing an auto-injector prototype. There's a particularly promising US startup making significant progress towards this goal. If successful, this will make life easier and safer for AD patients. However, research, development, approvals, and production are costly, and we want the charity to continue supporting these crucial efforts.

This brings us to our bike ride. Mark and I have taken or bought annual leave from our jobs and covered all our flight, airfreight, and accommodation costs. As we cycle across Italy every £, € $ and Kroner you donate will go directly to the charity. Your support will help ADSHG in its mission to support patients, especially those newly diagnosed, and to fund vital research and development.

Please consider donating - Your kindness can make a real difference in the lives of Addison’s disease patients. Thank you for your support!