I've had 11 knee operations, and when my physio (Sonja Bass, Pure Physio, Bath) told me to get my bike back out of the shed and ride to work from Bath to Bristol to build muscle around those tricky joints, I was a bit daunted. Six months on and I'm riding there and back several times a week, I'm off painkillers for my knees and I'd happily admit the physio was right.

Now I want to do my first serious bike challenge and to make sure I do it, to raise money for charity too. So on Sunday 3rd July I'm riding the hilly 50 mile course of Bike Bath, a sportive event through beautiful countryside around Bath. Despite all the Bristol rides, this will be the furthest I've ridden for over 20 years and I will certainly feel it.

I'm raising money for Bath-based Mentoring Plus (www.mentoringplus.net), a great little charity my wife works for which provides adult mentors and activities for children and teenagers struggling with poverty, problems at school, family issues, mental health or isolation. The money you kindly sponsor me will directly help kids in need fulfil their potential, by getting them out of the house, trying new activities, building confidence and raising aspirations with their mentors.

To show I've got some skin in the deal too, I'm aiming to keep alcohol to a minimum during the month before, and I pledge to pay £1 to the charity for every unit I'm regrettably forced to drink.

Please help me raise my target for the charity and please don't forget to Gift Aid your donation. Thanks for your support which will keep me peddling up those Somerset & Wiltshire hills!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.