We are "Team Volkswagen Smiles 100" and together we are 9 friends and work colleagues set on raising £6,000 for Operation Smile by riding the Prudential Ride London Surrey 100 mile Sportive on July 31st 2016. Operation Smile do fantastic work for children and teenagers born with a Cleft Lip and Palette in parts of the world where they routinely do not get the basic medical support and surgery they need to live a normal happy life free from discomfort and social prejudice. Just 45 minutes and £150 gives one child a face, a smile and significantly better opportunities in life. The transformation is truly life changing. You can visit Operation Smiles website to learn more about what they do at www.operationsmile.org.uk

This will be my 4th year raising money for Operation Smile and you might be forgiven for asking “when is enough enough?” I’m not sure I know the answer to that question but what I do know is that I’m not entitled to claim “job done” and walk away when I myself was born with a Cleft Lip and Palette and when I know each £150 can help one more child. These kids do not need sympathy, they need practical medical support.

For those who know me, you know this charity is personal for me and it is for this reason that I'm delighted and extremlely grateful to Geoff Milo, Alex Rose, Richard Kershaw, Matt Mulkerrins, Richard Lake, Richard Lawson, Gerald Smith, Matt Baker &  Matt Wilson for joining me on this quest. Its easier doing stuff like this as a team. Thanks lads.

We are all deeply conscious that you all work really hard for your money and if you give a little to support to a worthy cause the very least we can do to respect that generosity is train like we mean it and put a serious shift in on the day of the sportive. We will all be going through our own little world of pain at some point on the day but together we will all finish and  be worthy of your support.