I did say I was not going to ask for sponsorship for the Etape du Dales for a few years... and to be honest, I had no intention of doing anything sponsored, but then Steve Loynes whispered in my ear that his team of daring cyclists were short of someone to laugh at for a couple of weeks - and so I just had to volunteer to cycle from John O'Groats to Land's End this June.

It will be a long and probably painful ride and I would be delighted if you would encourage me through that pain by sponsoring me.

You know the drill and everything you kindly sponsor will go to York Against Cancer (the team is paying its own way). If you prefer more imaginative deals (like my generous fellow cyclist who is sponsoring by references to the number of ounces of weight I lose between 1st Feb and 1st July), just email me the details.

Many thanks for any and all help you feel able to give.

Rex