Our fund raising challenge was borne out of personal tragedy when I lost my darling wife Susan to a massive stroke in May of this year.

I and my cycling friends have been competing in cycling events across Europe finishing L’Etape du Tour, La Marmotte, Maratona Dles Dolomites and the Quebrantahuesos over the past four years. All were endurance one day events averaging 175km and 4500m of climbing. This year we set the bar somewhat higher, deciding to take on the Haute Route Dolomites Swiss Alps 2016 (Geneva to Venice) which covers 900km and 21,000 meters over seven days. It is believed to be the hardest event of its kind in the world.

My team mates have been an incredible support to me, on and off the bike since I lost Susan. Through their encouragement and inspiration I have got back on the bike and decided to carry on with the event but with a different focus. As a team we decided to give something back by raising funds for a worthwhile cause; Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

RMHC and RMHC Ireland, help give families across the UK and Ireland hope and respite during some of the hardest moments of their lives, by providing free accommodation that enables them to stay close by to their children in hospital. We have targeted to raise £100,000 to support RMHC in the UK and the planned 53 bedroom Ronald McDonald House to support the new National Children’s Hospital in Dublin.

Olleco, (the renewable division of the ABP Food Group) the business I
lead, has committed to match the first £50,000 raised on a pound for pound basis.

Olleco, who provides 100% resource recovery for food businesses and McDonald’s (RMHC has been McDonald's charity of choice since the charity was founded) have a long partnership in delivering virtuous cycles of integrated supply,collection and conversion solutions, dramatically reducing the carbon emissions of our respective businesses by converting organic waste into renewable energy - waste cooking oil into biodiesel and waste food into biomethane.

Thank you for supporting our challenge and enabling families to maintain a degree of normal life while their child is undergoing medical treatment in partnered specialist children's hospitals across the UK and Ireland.

100% of the funds raised will be split between RMHC UK (802047) and RMHC Ireland (CHY12553).

If you would like to find about more about the challenge, please visit their website: www.hauteroute.org/events/stages/dolomites-swiss-alps-2016