I have made the slightly foolish decision to cycle 100 miles on Sunday 31^st July for ‘fun’ and to raise money for an incredible charity – BBC Media Action

I thought ‘why make this easy for myself??!’ so instead decided that I would do the full 100 miles on a Brompton bike with undersized wheels and a Brooks ‘hard as stone’ bike seat.  

I will be riding the renowned Surrey 100 organised by the London Marathon,  starting in Stratford, zooming across London into Surrey, then climbing Leith Hill, and Box Hill, and circling back to London before finishing on The Mall to cheers or an ambulance.

I have never done anything like this before, I have only just worked out how to unfold the Brompton and I’m scared.

I have already received a plethora of great advice (mainly ‘don’t do it’), donations of padding, lycra, glucose and I am ‘carb loading’...now I just
need some help raising funds for my charity.

So...to make this amazing challenge all worthwhile it would great if you could sponsor me, even if it’s just for the photo of my face at the finish line.

Why on earth are you doing this? (Yes I think I can hear you say)

I’m raising awareness and some vital funds for BBC Media Action - the BBC’s international development charity, where I’m lucky enough to work. It does some pretty incredible work using the power of media and communication to help reduce poverty and inform, connect and empower people around the world. It is a registered charity and not funded by the BBC licence fee.

Following the earthquakes in Nepal last year which affected the lives of millions, I’ve seen how BBC Media Action responded fast – enabled by funds raised through efforts like this. Within hours of the first earthquake, emergency “lifeline” radio programmes were broadcasting across a network of more than 250 radio stations in Nepal – sharing vital information about aid, how to stay safe and what might happen next.

Media has the power to reach millions of people, especially those in remote rural areas, and importantly it can help people to survive, cope and recover. Information is often a forgotten form of aid in a crisis – but it’s the means through which people can find food, water, shelter and the security they need.

Big or small, anything you can give will help.

By taking on some pretty tough hills - on very small wheels - I’m hoping to raise funds so that when the next disaster strikes, Media Action can help save more lives.  Any donation - however big or small – will make a difference, plus it will make all the thigh-burning training worthwhile and keep me in supply of padded shorts!

I hope you’ll agree this is a very worthy cause – thank you for your support.