After 44 years in the surveying profession, the last 38 years with Vail Williams as an employee, partner and consultant my time in the profession is coming to an end in May, when I fully retire. I thought it would be appropriate to mark the occasion with a challenge, and use this as an opportunity to raise funds for 2 charities that are personal to me.

In order to satisfy my need as an obsessional cyclist I have decided to undertake the Fred Whitton Challenge –https://fredwhittonchallenge.co.uk/ Britain's Premiere Sportive. on the 11th May. This is a tough endurance cycle challenge with an average completion time of 11 hours, which involves cycling 112 miles with 11,500 feet of climbing, taking in some of the classic Lake District hill climbs, including the infamous Hardknott pass at 98 miles (with a ramp of 30%!). My son, Guy, will be accompanying me after completing the Ten Peaks challenge in the Lakes the day before. Please read story below -

As some of you will know, our grand-daughter (Tabitha aged 12) has a very rare life limiting genetic condition known as Tango2 (which refers to the missing gene). This has meant that my daughter, her husband and Tabby have spent many days in hospital over the years, sometimes for extended periods of time. I would like to use this fundraising as an opportunity to support 2 charities that they have benefitted from. The first is Sophie’s Legacy –https://www.sophieslegacy.co.uk/ which is also Vail William’s charity of the year, This provides food and support to parents in hospital who are looking after their children (which is not provided by the NHS). This is a local charity and has been helpful to so many parents who find themselves in this difficult position. The second charity is Tango 2 UK (T2UK), https://tango2uk.org/ which is a new charity that has a number of aims in connection with this rare genetic condition – Raising awareness, developing training within the NHS, supporting families with children with the condition and funding research.

We hope you will feel able to support us

UPDATE

We successfully completed the Challenge. Guy in the time of 8 Hours and 30 mins and Julian in the time of 9 hours 15 mins.