On Wednesday 17^th August I will start the ride from John O’Groats (Scotland) to Land’s End (Cornwall) by bike, carrying all my gear. My aim is to complete the 1200 miles in around 18 days. Without training this is going to be a challenge but raising money for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust will keep me going.

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is a small, independent charity that relies on the generous support of the public. They are concerned about the 'plight of the bumblebee' and are helping to conserve these endearing insects. In the last 80 years our bumblebee populations have crashed. Two species have become nationally extinct and several others have declined dramatically. 

I could write pages and pages of reasons why we need to help Bumblebees but maybe one of our greatest concerns is that bumblebees are great pollinators, and play a key role in producing much of the food that we eat (approximately a third of the food that we eat depends on pollinating insects). Without bees to spread seeds, many plants will die out. If bumblebee and other pollinators continue to decline, the extremely high cost of pollinating these plants by other means could significantly increase the cost of fruit and vegetables (and they will be less tasty).

So to help these lovely little creatures please support my crazy bike ride, become a member of the BBCT and/or make your garden into a bee friendly haven.

http://sos-bees.org/
http://bumblebeeconservation.org/

Words from some legends:

“Bumblebees are key factors in our wildlife. If they disappear many of
our plants will not bear fruit. I am proud to be associated with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust”. - David Attenborough

“Few people realise just how important bumblebees are. They are charming little things and a pleasure to see, but they also do an essential job which many people take for granted. If bumblebees continue to decline then we face ecological turmoil. Join BBCT today and support their important work.”- Chris Packham

“Bumblebees are one of the most endearing insect visitors to
any garden. Their furry, colourful bodies and clumsy flight always raise a
smile, but they also do an essential job. Without their pollination services many flowers would produce no seeds, and fruit and vegetable yields would suffer.” - Toby Buckland