In September 2020, I unexpectedly and suddenly lost my father. A wonderful father who served 26 years in the army.

Around the time Dad passed away, my birthday had been a week earlier. It was only several days after his passing, a box arrived on the doorstep to my flat in London. It was to be his last gift to me, a road bike, and I couldn't think of a better way to put it to good use.

So for myself this race is a no brainer, in honour of my Dad, following the example he set for helping others and all the charity work he did for the Poppy Appeal. It was only after I put the information out there, I sat there thinking why I signed up to this without putting a team together first! But no sooner having realised I’d probably need to call on a few friends, did those exact same friends and more sign up the very same day! It was so touching having people step forwards so quickly to join, I really wasn't expecting it.

But now I am honoured to have Elizabeth, Suzanne, Victoria, Steve and Darren all join me to cycle into the depths of the west country for this cause in May 2021!

For my Dad, the army was his life's work and his second family. He commanded the Royal Hampshire's Regiment, following in his father's footsteps before him who commanded the same one. With a tiger in the emblem, once served in this regiment you are always known as a tiger! He then amalgamated this regiment to become the First Commanding officer of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (PWRR).

For all his accolades, he never stopped, retirement was not a word that existed in his world. He served as the Chairman for the Ex-servicemens’ League of Zambia whilst living in Africa. Driving off to the far flung corners of the vast country for over 8 hours at a time. All to visit some of the most remote villages, tracking down war veterans who served in the British Army in WWII. Then every year for several weeks, Dad would gear up for the Poppy Appeal. Our house was filled with stacks of Poppy boxes, you couldn't even open the door to his office. Months were spent preparing and he made sure the boxes were scattered all over the city, no missed opportunity to raise funds and collect donations.

So on May 16th 2021, I will be honouring my father and you will find The Easy Tiger team all cycling, alongside veterans, a total distance of 136km. Each and every donation would mean so much to us and The Royal British Legion. But any form of support is just as plenty and always welcome.

Thank you